Brendan O'Hara MP

Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute

Editor

Tories deny free school meals to 2 million children

News

Conservative MPs – including all Scots Tories – refuse to back free meals for children in school holidays Yesterday afternoon in the House of Commons, Brendan O’Hara MP led for the SNP in the Opposition Day debate on access to free school meals and called on the UK Government to commit to tackling widespread poverty, […]

UK Government must take action to protect Scotch Whisky industry

News

US tariffs costing £360m a year but Westminster government can’t get “special friend” Trump to move an inch Scotland creates the finest whisky in the world and with many world-renowned, long established distilleries, as well as several newer players emerging, there’s no doubt that Argyll & Bute with its 15 distilleries and two designated whisky […]

Save Argyll & Bute TSB branches from closure

News

Brendan O’Hara MP launches petition as bank moves to shed five local branches Argyll & Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has requested an urgent meeting with TSB bosses to discuss the impact of the decision to close five branches across the constituency – Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead and Rothesay. The bank plans to shut 73 branches […]

Vital new A83 is ‘best option’ for everyone in Argyll & Bute

News

Brendan O’Hara MP urges constituents to contribute to public consultation Argyll & Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has appealed for constituents to make their views known by contributing to a new public consultation launched by Transport Scotland on options for replacing the current A83 Rest and Be Thankful. The local MP said: “It goes without saying […]

Re-opening of driving tests centres must get into gear

News

Argyll & Bute MP says it’s not acceptable for people to sit tests hundreds of miles away For the last couple of weeks my office has been inundated with constituents getting in touch to express concern over delays to the re-opening of driving test centres with many being told to take a test hundreds of […]

Britannia’s waiving the rules so Tories can get own way with Brexit

News

On Monday night in the House of Commons I spoke about how the UK Government intends to move the goalposts on leaving the EU by ripping up the Withdrawal Agreement and threatening the stability of Northern Ireland with its Internal Markets Bill. It is no longer a case, as they have always liked to think, […]

Brendan on Facebook

Brendan O’Hara MP

6 hours ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
Tonight’s STV Leaders' Debate has highlighted that only the SNP has the ambition for government, with Nicola Sturgeon the only party leader on the stage with a serious plan for government and the leadership to be First Minister. During the debate, SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon put forward the SNP’s positive, ambitious plans to lead Scotland’s recovery, protecting the rights of children and to give people in Scotland a choice over their future.In contrast, no other party showed the experience or leadership, to take the country forward, with the Scottish Tories once again failing to put forward a single policy to support the recovery and the Labour party arguing over third place.SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said:"Tonight’s debate has proved once again that Nicola Sturgeon is the only party leader with the experience and leadership to take Scotland through the pandemic, and into recovery.“It was also clear tonight that only the SNP has the ambition for government at this election, while opposition parties scramble to find a positive vision for Scotland’s future.“Scotland needs the experienced leadership of Nicola Sturgeon to tackle the challenges ahead and to stand up for Scotland.“The Brexit-obsessed Scottish Tories appear to have absolutely no positive message for voters in Scotland, instead backing a Westminster power grab on Scotland’s Parliament, failing to stand up for Scotland’s children and blocking the democratic will of the people of Scotland.“Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon put forward the SNP’s vision for our country’s future – with progressive policies to grow our economy, protect jobs, support and invest in the NHS and protect the most vulnerable in our society."Giving both votes to the SNP is the only way to put Scotland's recovery in Scotland's hands - not those of Westminster politicians like Boris Johnson.” ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Brendan O’Hara MP

19 hours ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
Deputy First Minister John Swinney will today pledge to tear down barriers to learning as he unveils a package of practical measures designed to reduce the cost of the school day.The Education Secretary will confirm that an SNP government will end the practice - common in practical subjects such as art and design, music, home economics, hospitality and technology - of pupils being expected to pay fees for materials or provide their own.Mr Swinney will also say that every pupil should be able to take part fully in school trips, including P7 residential trips and at least one optional secondary school trip. Children should not miss out simply because their parents cannot afford the cost and an SNP Government will therefore exempt less-well off families from the costs of trips and activities.He will announce that grants towards school uniform costs for poorer families will increase from the £100 minimum to £120 in Primary School and £150 in Secondary School. In future this grant will be linked to inflation and reviewed to ensure it meets the real costs faced by families. The use of exclusive branded retailers – which often leads to higher costs for families – will be banned.The announcements complete a manifesto package, to be unveiled later this week, aimed at reducing the cost of the school day, including:- free school breakfast and lunch for all primary school pupils,- universal provision of an age-appropriate laptop, Chromebook or tablet for all school pupils,- abolition of core curriculum charges such as materials fees in practical subjects,- increasing the school uniform grant, and - exempting poorer families from the cost of school trips.Making the announcement on a visit to Perthshire, John Swinney is expected to say:“Our goal is to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up for every child. That’s why the SNP has invested enormously in Early Years - from the Baby Box to the transformational increase in childcare provision seen in recent years.“It’s why we’re extending free school meals to ensure that no child is forced to try and learn while hungry.“And it’s why we are going to give every pupil the device they need - so they can learn in the modern world.“But we know that some families are sacrificing essentials like heating, food and rent payments so that their children can participate fully at school. This is simply unacceptable. “If re-elected, charges for practical subjects in school will be abolished, poorer families will be exempt from the cost of school trips and the value of uniform grants will be increased.“The pandemic has been tough for everyone, but particularly so for the younger generations - and by reducing cost of the school day, we will make a real difference in the lives of children from low-income families. “In a country as wealthy as Scotland, no pupil should struggle to learn because of poverty - and by giving both votes to the SNP on May 6th, people can elect a government which is absolutely committed to tearing down the barriers to education that still exist, and ensuring all children can get the best start in life.” ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Brendan O’Hara MP

1 week ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
A huge week coming up for Oban’s Robert MacIntyre as he makes his debut at the Masters in Augusta. It’s a fantastic achievement and everyone at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban will be so proud of their boy as the whole of Scotland cheers on this remarkable young man. Good luck Bob 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Brendan O’Hara MP

2 weeks ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
Huge congratulations to Bob, this is great news for him and his family and I wish him all the very best of luck at the Masters!Bob MacIntyre's challenge for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play title came to an end today after losing 5&4 to Victor Perez. Having made it to the last 16 however the Oban golfer is guaranteed to be inside the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking when the next weekly update takes place on Monday, meaning an invite to the US Masters in Augusta, April 8-11. Well done Bob! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Brendan O’Hara MP

2 weeks ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
Police are appealing for information to find missing woman Kathleen Symons, last seen in the Tighnabruaich area.WOMAN MISSING FROM TIGHNABRUAICH:Police are appealing for help from the public to trace a woman missing from Kames, Tighnabruaich.Kathleen Symons (34) was last seen in the Tighnabruaich area of Cowal on Tuesday (March 16). Kathleen (photographed) is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, with black hair. Inspector Simon Shanks said: “Enquires are ongoing but we are now seeking the assistance of the public to help us locate Kathleen.“We believe Kathleen may have travelled to England by car. I would ask anyone with information, or who has seen Kathleen since this time, to contact the police.“I would also like to appeal to Kathleen directly to attend at a local police station or to contact one of her friends or family so that we can ensure she is safe and well.“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 4253 of 27 March.” ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Brendan on Twitter

Brendan O'Hara MPFollow

Avatar
AvatarRt Rev Dr Martin Fair@churchmoderator·
12h

Have just spent an inspirational hour with @sabir_zazai CEO of @scotrefcouncil. The question of how we welcome refugees has never been more important and Christians must continue to articulate the biblical principles upon which our response should be built.

Reply on Twitter 1381984413261660163Retweet on Twitter 13819844132616601636Like on Twitter 138198441326166016335View on Twitter 1381984413261660163
AvatarHelensburgh Advertiser@helensburghadv·
13h

.@BrendanOHaraMP says the UK Government's decision to divert foreign aid money away from nations in need, and towards increasing the stockpile of nuclear weapons, proves Britain has "lost its moral compass".

This week's community column 👇: https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/19228671.brendan-ohara-diverting-aid-money-proves-britain-lost-moral-compass/

Reply on Twitter 1381971182556176385Retweet on Twitter 13819711825561763859Like on Twitter 138197118255617638515View on Twitter 1381971182556176385
AvatarNicola Sturgeon@NicolaSturgeon·
12 Apr

Jaw-dropping. The UK Tory government is going to Court to challenge a law passed by @scotparl unanimously. And for what? To protect their ability to legislate/act in ways that breach children’s rights in Scotland. Politically catastrophic, but also morally repugnant. https://twitter.com/GlennBBC/status/1381629964383092739

Glenn Campbell@GlennBBC

UK govt is referring two Holyrood laws to @UKSupremeCourt to decide if MSPs have gone beyond the powers of the devolved parliament

The bills would incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Charter of local self govt into Scots law

Reply on Twitter 1381636039392034816Retweet on Twitter 13816360393920348165425Like on Twitter 138163603939203481617097View on Twitter 1381636039392034816
AvatarJohn Swinney@JohnSwinney·
12 Apr

A breathtaking decision by the U.K. Government to challenge, in Court, legislation agreed unanimously @ScotParl, to protect the rights of children. This is the real face of the Tories. We must put the rights of children first and @scotgov will vigorously resist this. https://twitter.com/GlennBBC/status/1381629964383092739

Glenn Campbell@GlennBBC

UK govt is referring two Holyrood laws to @UKSupremeCourt to decide if MSPs have gone beyond the powers of the devolved parliament

The bills would incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Charter of local self govt into Scots law

Reply on Twitter 1381637703276576771Retweet on Twitter 1381637703276576771616Like on Twitter 13816377032765767711620View on Twitter 1381637703276576771
AvatarLaura McAllister 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿@LauraMcAllister·
10 Apr

We are one football family. We can't leave any single nation behind if football is to genuinely become a game for everyone: https://www.lauramcallisterforfootball.com/

Reply on Twitter 1380969066920300547Retweet on Twitter 138096906692030054721Like on Twitter 1380969066920300547103View on Twitter 1380969066920300547