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 4 July 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 For Energy. In September 2025 Michael was appointed Minister of State for 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.