Education
MacNeil was educated at Castlebay Secondary School, Barra, and the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, before graduating from Strathclyde University with a degree in civil engineering in 1992.
MacNeil was educated at Castlebay Secondary School, Barra, and the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, before graduating from Strathclyde University with a degree in civil engineering in 1992.
He played shinty whilst at university. Having been beaten by Labour"s David Stewart at Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber in 2001, he was elected in the 2005 general election, defeating Calum MacDonald of the Labour Party. In April 2006, he and former "anti-corruption" Member of Parliament Martin Bell wrote to prime minister, Tony Blair calling for all appointments to the House of Lords to be suspended in the wake of the scandal.
Mr MacNeil had the highest bill for travel in 2006-2007.
This is mainly due to the distance of his constituency from London as well as the disperse geographical layout of the constituency. He also received awards from the Spectator Magazine and the Political Studies Society for setting the political agenda in Britain during 2006.
MacNeil was re-elected to Parliament in 2010. Following the 2015 general election it was announced in June 2015 that he would chair the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee., and his appointment was formally announced on 18 June 2015.
54th United Kingdom Parliament. 55th United Kingdom Parliament. 56th United Kingdom Parliament]
He is a member of the editorial board for political monthly Total Politics.