24 hours in the life of Alistair Carmichael
Being a Member of Parliament is never a 9-5 job but when you represent the UK’s most northerly constituency it certainly isn’t. It can be a hectic life but it’s seldom dull. Fortunately – having been brought up on Islay - I’m used to the vagaries of island living. Here’s a glimpse of a typical day in my life…
0530: Monday mornings always dawn bright and early or certainly early - as it is often not bright in the winter months - as I’m up to catch the 0745 flight from Kirkwall to Edinburgh. Hopefully there’s time to grab a quick coffee at the airport before the flight. If not, then Logainair always have a passable brew on the plane.
0900: The flight usually gets in just before 0900– sometimes earlier if we’ve had a tailwind – and then it’s time for a taxi to the Scotland Office in Edinburgh’s West End.
All being well, I’m in the office by 0930 where usually more coffee awaits. Then there’s a round of meetings - either with staff or people from key business and industry or voluntary organisations – and often time for a visit to a local project or business to find out how the UK Government’s policies are helping and what still needs to be done. If I get any spare time, then there’s usually a fair bit of paperwork to do and phonecalls to make – there never seem to be enough hours in the day.
Then it’s back to the airport for a lunchtime flight to London. It’s followed by either a trip on the Heathrow Express or tube to Whitehall. The Scotland Office’s base in London is Dover House which we share with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. We’re right at the heart of Whitehall – next door to the Cabinet Office and just along the road from Downing Street.
I have a couple of regular Monday afternoon meetings – a meeting of Lib Dem and other ministers and a catch up with my team about my diary. Juggling ministerial, political and constituency commitments usually causes a headache and that’s before I’ve factored in any time with my family!
If the House of Commons is sitting, I might also be required to make a statement, attend a debate or vote – or all three.
Evenings often involve attending a dinner or reception. Dover House hosts a range of events from the glitz and glamour of the Scottish Fashion Awards and the Scotch Whisky Association reception to supporting good causes like PoppyScotland or the Prince’s Trust.
After that I’ll head back to my flat, which is about 15 minutes away on the bus. But before I go I need to find time to deal with my overnight box – basically all the paperwork I haven’t attended to during the day and anything requiring urgent attention. If I don’t do it, I’m sure to incur the wrath of my private secretary!
And then there’s time for a few hours’ kip before I’m back on the bus to do it all again.
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