About Michael

Michael Shanks is the Labour MP for the Rutherglen constituency. 

He was first elected the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in a by-election. 

Michael was re-elected to the new constituency of Rutherglen on July 4th 2024 with a majority of 8,767 (20.6%). He was then invited by the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to serve as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of energy. 

Michael obtained a degree in history and politics from the University of Glasgow and worked for a charity before retraining as a teacher in his late 20s, taking the PDGE in Glasgow. 

He was then employed a modern studies teacher. 

Michael has also been involved in community and charity initiatives for disabled peopled and ran a scout group for disabled children.