Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)

Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency) is a county constituency electing one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. It is the most northerly and one of the most geographically remote constituencies in the United Kingdom, encompassing the Orkney and Shetland archipelagos. Historically a Liberal and later Liberal Democrat stronghold, it has been represented since 2001 by Alistair Carmichael of the Liberal Democrats, who notably served as Secretary of State for Scotland in the Cameron–Clegg coalition.

History

The constituency was created for the 1708 general election following the Acts of Union 1707, which united the Kingdom of Scotland with the Kingdom of England. For most of its history, it was a safe seat for the Liberal Party, with notable MPs including Jo Grimond, who served as Liberal Party leader from 1956 to 1967 and was a pivotal figure in the party's post-war revival. The seat was held by the Liberals throughout the 20th century, surviving the 1983 and 1987 landslides won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. It was one of the few seats retained by the Liberal Democrats following their severe losses in the 2015 general election, a result that underscored its distinct political character within Scotland.

Boundaries

The constituency boundaries are coterminous with the council areas of the Orkney Islands Council and the Shetland Islands Council, as defined under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. These boundaries have remained largely unchanged since the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, which abolished the former separate seats of Orkney and Shetland and merged them into the current single constituency. The seat is reviewed by the Boundary Commission for Scotland, which has consistently recommended its retention as a single entity due to its unique geographical and community ties, despite its vast area covering over 900 islands.

Members of Parliament

Since its creation, the constituency has been represented by a succession of Liberal, Liberal Democrat, and historically, Conservative MPs. Key figures include Samuel Laing, a 19th-century Liberal MP and Financial Secretary to the Treasury; Jo Grimond, the influential Liberal leader; and Jim Wallace, who served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Advocate General for Scotland. The current MP, Alistair Carmichael, previously held the role of Secretary of State for Scotland in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom under Prime Minister David Cameron.

Elections

Elections in the constituency are characterized by a strong tradition of Liberal Democrat support, though the Scottish National Party has become the primary challenger in the 21st century. The 2015 election saw a notably close result, with Alistair Carmichael retaining his seat by a narrow margin over the SNP candidate following a high-profile legal case related to the Frenchgate memo controversy. Campaigning is heavily influenced by local issues such as oil and renewable energy in the Shetland and Orkney waters, ferry services, and the islands' distinct constitutional status within the United Kingdom.

Results

The most recent election, the 2019 general election, was won by Alistair Carmichael of the Liberal Democrats with a majority of over 2,000 votes against the Scottish National Party. Historically, the largest majority was achieved by Jo Grimond in the 1959 election. The Conservative Party last won the seat in the 1950 election, with the Labour Party never having won it. Election results are officially declared at the Kirkwall headquarters of the Orkney Islands Council, with counts also taking place in Lerwick.

Category:Orkney Category:Shetland Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland