Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrat - Former Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber

First elected: 9th June 1983


Charles Kennedy is not a member of any APPGs
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Substitute Member)
10th Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
18th Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
9th Aug 1999 - 7th Jan 2006
Standards and Privileges
25th Jun 1997 - 3rd Nov 1999
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Jun 1997 - 1st Jun 1999
Shadow Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
1st Jun 1992 - 1st Jun 1997
Party Chair, Liberal Democrats
1st Jan 1991 - 31st Dec 1994
Shadow Spokesperson (Health)
1st Jun 1989 - 1st Jun 1992


Division Voting information

Charles Kennedy has voted in 767 divisions, and 21 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 201 Noes - 292
29 Jan 2013 - Equality (Marriage) (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 11 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 86 Noes - 31
21 Jan 2013 - Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 35 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 243
21 Jan 2013 - Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 36 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 246
8 Jan 2013 - Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 41 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 324 Noes - 268
24 Oct 2012 - Onshore Gas - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 26 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 260 Noes - 206
22 Jun 2011 - The Economy - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 44 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 299 Noes - 206
15 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 49 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 250
15 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 51 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 249
9 Dec 2010 - Higher Education Fees - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 27 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 323 Noes - 302
9 Dec 2010 - Higher Education Fees - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 27 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 323 Noes - 302
1 Nov 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 49 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 326
1 Nov 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 42 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 257 Noes - 315
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 25 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 199
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 17 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 36 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 122 Noes - 354
1 Nov 2006 - Birmingham New Street Station - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 49 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 247 Noes - 226
5 Jul 2006 - Ambulances (County Durham) - View Vote Context
Charles Kennedy voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 26 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 53
View All Charles Kennedy Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Willetts (Conservative)
(10 debate interactions)
Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
(9 debate interactions)
Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat)
(8 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(21 debate contributions)
Scotland Office
(18 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(11 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(8 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Charles Kennedy has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Charles Kennedy's debates

Ross, Skye and Lochaber Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Charles Kennedy has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Charles Kennedy

25th February 2015
Charles Kennedy signed this EDM on Tuesday 10th March 2015

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INSULT TO INJURY CAMPAIGN

Tabled by: David Anderson (Labour - Blaydon)
That this House notes the invaluable contribution made by servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, to the security of the UK and the risks they take with their health and lives in defence of freedom; further notes that this unique sacrifice is not fully recognised within the social care system, …
69 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 19
Independent: 3
Conservative: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Charles Kennedy's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Charles Kennedy, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Charles Kennedy has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Charles Kennedy has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Charles Kennedy has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Charles Kennedy has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 8 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with mobile phone operators on the effects of adverse weather on their systems; and if he will make a statement.

I have had no specific discussions with mobile phone operators on the issue of adverse weather, but there is a regular dialogue on issues of concern to both industry and Government.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills works closely with the telecoms industry, in particular via the pan industry and government Electronic Communications – Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG) which leads on enhancing resilience levels and the preparation and exercising of incident response.

25th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many and what proportion of people in the Scottish Highlands and Islands are classed as living in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Fuel poverty is largely devolved. For instance, Scotland has its own fuel poverty target and fuel poverty indicator. In Scotland, fuel poverty is measured using the 10 per cent definition.

Fuel poverty is measured at the household level rather than the individual level. Based on the Scottish Housing Condition Survey Local Authority Analysis 2011-13, the estimated number and proportion of households in fuel poverty in the Scottish Highlands and Islands is shown in the table below.

Estimated number of fuel poor households

Proportion of fuel poor households (%)

Scottish Highlands and Islands

101,500

46.7

27th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will bring forward plans to enable the Green Investment Bank to purchase equity in existing offshore projects to enable similar investment in onshore wind turbine construction; and if he will make a statement.

The role of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) is to help finance green infrastructure projects. The terms of its state aid approval do not allow it to invest in specific supply chain companies or activities such as turbine manufacturing. GIB has already taken equity stakes in a number of operating offshore wind farms.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial information is sent to his Department from individual local authorities on the administrative costs incurred in the preparation for, and the processing of, the under-occupancy penalty; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has provided funding to each local authority to meet the additional costs resulting from our reforms to Housing Benefit. Local Authority Associations were fully consulted when determining these new costs.

The Department does not collect details of expenditure on Housing Benefit administration from individual local authorities.

Esther McVey
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether, in respect of the current proposals to revise the British Underwater Training and Evaluation Centre range at Kyle of Lochalsh, the new 82 square kilometre area is based upon the current take-up zone or will include the no travel zone; whether the revised Ministry of Defence area map is based on existing inner or outer limits; and if he will make a statement.

The 82 square Km area is the existing byelawed area of the Raasay Ranges and includes the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre. This is divided into an Outer Area (around 56 square Km) in which no trawling or dredging is permitted, and an Inner Area (around 26 square Km) in which no fishing activity at all is permitted. The proposed byelaw extension is for a single range area (around 110 square Km) in which no fishing activity (including dredging or trawling) will be permitted, although this does include the possible creation of local agreements, that would permit controlled creel fishing or dive fishing in the area. In addition, the water-space around the island of Rona that is at present unavailable for fishing will also be released under the current proposals.

23rd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if, in respect of the current proposals to revise the British Underwater Training and Evaluation Centre range at Kyle of Lochalsh, he will list the initial consultees involved prior to his letter of 3 November 2014 to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and others; what input was sought from Marine Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

On 19 August 2013 the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support (Philip Dunne) wrote to the right hon. Member to inform him that the Department was looking favourably on QinetiQ's proposals for new investment to sustain the operations of the Ministry of Defence Raasay Ranges. In addition, the Minister wrote to the then Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon and the constituency Member of the Scottish Parliament, David Thompson. In parallel officials wrote to the Highland Council and Highland and Islands Enterprise in order to seek their views on the proposal. Marine Scotland was not consulted at that stage, as the consultation focussed on new investment and implications for jobs at the site.

The views of Marine Scotland were sought in late 2014 in relation to the planned installation of new cabling to support the proposed relocation of the in-water equipment at Raasay.

26th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Service Complaints have been made in the Royal Navy Reserve in the last three years; and how long it has taken to investigate each case.

There have been 12 Service Complaints recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration Service and submitted to Commanding Officers of Royal Naval Reserve Units in the last three years.

It is not possible to determine how much time has been spent investigating each case; investigations can be conducted at any phase of the Service Complaint management process, and some of these cases are ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the economic potential of the Scottish Highlands and Islands; and if he will make a statement.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands play an important role in the Scottish economy.

The UK Government recognises this and has demonstrated strong support for rural areas through measures such the fuel duty rebate scheme, the abolition of the fuel duty escalator, and in the Budget 2014 supporting Scotch Whisky by freezing duty on spirits.

Alistair Carmichael
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)