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Brendan O'Hara MP
Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute
Brendan O’Hara MP, Newsletter
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Commenting as Scotland goes to the polls today, SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:![]()
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“Today’s election is the most important in the history of the Scottish Parliament. After a year of unprecedented challenge for all of us, the country needs experienced leadership to take Scotland through the pandemic - and only the SNP are offering a serious programme for government to keep Scotland safe and into a recovery.![]()
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“Polls show that, when it comes to the balance of the new Parliament, the result is on a knife-edge - and in a close election, every vote can make the difference.![]()
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“If I am re-elected First Minister, I guarantee I’ll be back at my desk straight away tackling the pandemic.![]()
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“We will get to work on our plans to help the NHS remobilise and agree a pay rise for NHS staff, expand free childcare and free school meals, help our young people into jobs and opportunities and much more within just 100 days.![]()
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“We will also start work on longer term challenges, establishing a new Council for Economic Transformation, taking the first steps toward establishing a National Care Service and beginning work on a Minimum Income Guarantee.![]()
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“And when the COVID crisis has passed, we will give the people of Scotland the opportunity to decide if they want the recovery to be in the hands of the likes of Boris Johnson and the austerity-driven Tories, or to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands with independence. ![]()
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“Despite the challenges of the last year, we should be optimistic about Scotland’s future - and with the right leadership I know that we have the natural resources and human talent to deliver the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland that we all want to see.![]()
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“I'm asking people to give both votes to the SNP today to help elect an experienced government with the serious plan to lead Scotland through the pandemic and into a brighter future.”![]()
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#BothVotesSNP
Tonight's BBC Leaders' Debate again showed Nicola Sturgeon as the only candidate vying to be First Minister at this election, with the strong leadership needed to lead Scotland through the pandemic and into recovery.![]()
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While Nicola Sturgeon set out the SNP's bold policies to drive recovery such as a National Care Service and action to stabilise the economy, opposition parties proved they have no clear vision for Scotland's future and are focused on negativity and arguing amongst themselves. ![]()
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Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross also unbelievably refused to apologise to those in the fishing industry who were promised a "sea of opportunity" then let down by Boris Johnson's catastrophic hard Brexit.![]()
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SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: ![]()
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"Tonight's final Leaders' Debate showed that Nicola Sturgeon is the only credible candidate for First Minister at this election - with Labour and the Tories dodging important questions and setting out no clear vision for Scotland's recovery.![]()
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"To ensure a strong recovery from Covid we need an experienced hand at the wheel, and bold, ambitious policies like a new National Care Service, more affordable homes, and action to tackle climate change and child poverty.![]()
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"These are serious times which require serious leadership - not opposition parties fighting amongst themselves for second place and dodging the serious questions voters want answered. ![]()
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"Giving both votes to the SNP on Thursday will guarantee the strong, experienced leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, and a recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic which works for every single person who lives here."
Last night ahead of the eagerly awaited Line of Duty finale, lead actor Martin Compston aka Detective Inspector Steve Arnott, threw his support behind the SNP at the election on Thursday.![]()
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Compston, also known for roles in The Nest, Mary Queen of Scots, The Wee Man, Monarch of the Glen and Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen, is among many actors, musicians, writers, and cultural figures who took part in the SNP online 'get out the vote' rally with Nicola Sturgeon and thousands of SNP supporters.![]()
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Other figures who took part includes Hollywood stars Alan Cumming and Brian Cox, leading crime writer Val McDermid, Mogwai musician Stuart Braithwaite, folk singer Iona Fyfe, and TikTok star Littlest Chicken, among others.![]()
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In a video message, Martin Compston said:![]()
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"Scotland’s future is in your hands. Don’t leave it to chance.![]()
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“The only way to make sure we re-elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister is to make it #BothVotesSNP.![]()
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“Make sure you and all your pals get out to vote.”![]()
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The election on Thursday is the most important in Scotland's history - and every vote will count.![]()
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Only by casting both votes for the SNP can we guarantee Nicola Sturgeon is re-elected as First Minister to keep Scotland safe through covid, build a strong, fair and green recovery, and put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands.![]()
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It's great to see Martin and all of the actors, writers, musicians, and cultural figures who have given their support to the SNP at this crucial election. The last year has changed our world. This year we have the opportunity to build a better and fairer future for Scotland by voting SNP.
Thank you to constituents across Argyll & Bute who have been in touch to express their outrage at the sleaze scandal engulfing the Tory party, particularly Boris Johnson's dodgy flat donations.![]()
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As SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford made clear at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Johnson should come clean before the police come calling.![]()
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The SNP has called for Boris Johnson and Tory HQ to retain and publish all correspondence relating to the Prime Minister's dodgy donor flat renovation - after the Electoral Commission launched an investigation with “reasonable grounds to suspect” the law has been broken.![]()
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It comes as UK government sources told The Times “the worry is that there could be a paper trail... There was a very limited number of people who knew about the funding arrangements at CCHQ. It’s not clear how this will end.”![]()
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The SNP is concerned there could be a "Tory shredding operation" underway after Boris Johnson failed to publish his correspondence on Covid contracts - despite promising Parliament he would do so "immediately" at Prime Ministers Questions on 21st April.![]()
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Commenting, my colleague SNP Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsten Oswald MP said:![]()
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"The Tory sleaze scandal is getting worse every day. Boris Johnson now stands accused of impropriety and potential illegality, and could become the first serving Prime Minister to be interviewed under caution by the police and even prosecuted.![]()
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"It is crucial that the Prime Minister and Tory HQ retain and immediately publish all correspondence relating to the dodgy donor 'cash for curtains' flat renovation. There must be full disclosure, and officials must step in if required to stop any Tory shredding operation.![]()
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"Boris Johnson has already broken his word by failing to publish his text and email correspondence on Covid contracts after the James Dyson affair - despite promising parliament he would do so immediately. It begs the question - what else is Boris Johnson hiding?![]()
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"This Tory government reeks of cronyism and it is clear they are only in it for themselves. Scotland can do so much better than this. Next week voters can show Boris Johnson's Tories that they are neither untouchable or above the rules we all have to obey."![]()
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Scottish Tory Leader Douglas Ross has also admitted directing thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money to a personal friend when he was an MSP.![]()
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In an interview with the Herald, Douglas Ross confirmed he used Holyrood expenses - footed by the taxpayer - to cover £7,000 worth of rent on an Edinburgh flat which was half-owned by a refereeing colleague. ![]()
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The property in question - valued at £265,000 - was initially bought by Ross' referee chum Hugh Dallas and another individual in December 2016. ![]()
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While the SNP is focussed on getting Scotland through and out of the pandemic, with immediate plans to support the NHS, protect jobs and help our young people, the Tories cannot escape the stench of sleaze surrounding their contracts for cronies, donations for decorating, texts for tax breaks, or renting from referees. ![]()
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Scotland deserves better than this. Next Thursday (May 6) Scotland has the option to choose a different path – it is only with Both Votes SNP that Scotland’s future can be in Scotland’s hands.
The SNP has said figures showing a dramatic decrease in food and drink exports to the EU is the “grim reality” of Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit deal.![]()
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According to figures by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), sales of milk and cream to the EU are down an incredible 96% - with chicken and beef exports down by almost 80%. ![]()
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Overall, export barriers created by Brexit have cost exporters more than £1.1 billion since the start of the year. ![]()
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The FDF are now urging the UK government to conduct “essential” talks with the EU as a matter of urgency or face severe consequences.![]()
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Commenting, Scotland's Trade Minister and SNP candidate for Glasgow Provan, Ivan McKee, said:![]()
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“These figures highlight the grim reality of Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement and the immense damage it is having on Scotland’s economy. ![]()
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“Scotland has been completely ignored throughout the whole Brexit process, and we are now paying the price of Tory incompetence with a deal that hampers every aspect of our trade.![]()
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“Our long-standing ties – cultivated with our European neighbours – have been ripped apart by a Brexit agreement that we did not vote for. Our rural areas are also crying out for help – yet the Tories remain silent.![]()
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“And let’s not forget that Scotland’s six Tory MP’s and Labour’s only MP voted in favour of this deal – this is something that the people of Scotland will not forget. ![]()
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“The Tories have shown time and again that they cannot be trusted with Scotland’s food and drink sector - that is why it is vital that the people of Scotland give both their votes to the SNP in this upcoming election. ![]()
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“It is only by voting SNP on 6 May that we can truly protect the sector and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson and his band of Brexiteers."
Best wishes to all businesses across Argyll & Bute re-opening today. I know recent months have been so difficult but every sacrifice made has helped to save lives. ![]()
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It will be great to see so many local shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs open again but we must continue to stay safe and respect staff asking us to take the necessary safety precautions.![]()
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I am delighted that as we taken this first big step towards a greater normality, that Nicola Sturgeon will today commit to the establishment of a £25 million tourism recovery fund for Scotland.![]()
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Tourism is one of the sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19, and I know that many businesses and attractions across Argyll & Bute will welcome this specific support, which also recognises the important contribution they make to local economies and their communities.![]()
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Ms Sturgeon will highlight the 12 months rates relief available for businesses in those sectors - the most generous package in the UK - and set out plans to provide thousands of vouchers for short breaks and days out to carers, people with disabilities and families on low incomes as part of SNP plans to invest in economic recovery.![]()
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The support for the sector contrasts with the Tories who are offering only 3 months rates relief in England, where they are in government, and who have threatened a return to austerity as we emerge from the pandemic.![]()
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Ms Sturgeon will also warn that Scotland’s long-term recovery is in jeopardy if the key levers of the economy remain in the hands of a “austerity-obsessed” Westminster government.
Yesterday afternoon I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on land rights for religious minorities including Baha’is in Iran and the Yazidi’s and Christian minorities in Iraq.![]()
The Bahai’s are a 350,000-strong community, the largest non-Muslim community in Iran, and have been subject to specific and systematic persecution for exercising their fundamental human right to practice their faith.![]()
Many are farmers who have been expelled from their land, had their homes demolished and the graves of their loved ones’ desecrated. ![]()
We have a number of members of the Baha’is community in my constituency, including in Helensburgh, and I consider them my friends.![]()
The UK must use its foreign policy powers to do what it can to stop the oppression of ethnic minorities for their religious beliefs. This is not legally or morally acceptable; Baha’is are amongst the most community-minded, hard-working and generous people I know and they should be free to remain in their homes and to follow their faith.![]()
To hear my speech click the link.
I am so grateful to everyone involved in running and supporting foodbanks across Argyll & Bute. Unfortunately, they are more necessary than ever now and I know that for many people they are literally a lifeline. ![]()
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Shocking new statistics provided by the Trussell Trust show that Tory cuts have led to a 63% rise in food bank parcels handed out in Scotland over five years - with one emergency food parcel handed out to a child every seven minutes this year.![]()
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Trussell Trust food banks in Scotland have handed out around 220,000 emergency food parcels between April 2020 and March 2021 - a parcel every two-and-a-half minutes. More than 77,000 parcels went to children.![]()
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Across the UK, the Trussell Trust network gave out a record 2.5m emergency food parcels in the last year. More than 980,000 of these went to children - almost two parcels on average every minute - and a 128% rise compared to this time five years ago. It is the first time the number of food parcels distributed has topped 2 million.![]()
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These figures do not include the demand on any of our independent foodbanks, so, in reality the figure is far higher, but these foodbanks run by volunteers and supported by local communities, cannot and should not have to continue to pick up the pieces left as a result of this Tory government’s cuts and gaps in support.![]()
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Even before the pandemic hit, a worrying number of families across the UK were struggling to get by because of a decade of Tory austerity. ![]()
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The figures published today make for dire reading, and we must not forget that behind these statistics are families in desperate need of support.![]()
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The SNP in Government has done its best to tackle poverty here by bringing in game-changing policies like the Scottish Child Payment, which we will double if re-elected, extending free school meals through the holidays, investing more than £1.96 billion in targeting support at low-income households last year, and mitigating the callous Tory bedroom tax.![]()
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But whilst employment powers and the vast majority of welfare spending remains reserved to Westminster, Scotland will always be tackling poverty and hunger with one hand tied behind its back. ![]()
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We cannot continue to wait for the UK government - who dithered and delayed on extending free school meals and supporting low-income families through this pandemic - to act. ![]()
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Scotland’s future must be in Scotland’s hands - so we can build a better and fairer society. ![]()
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“With the limited powers we have, we have already built a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect and are promoting a Real Living Wage. We can continue that work with Both Votes SNP on May 6th. A vote for Labour or anyone else will only see the Tories continue with their brutal austerity cuts.![]()
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The poster shows the new opening hours for Helensburgh & Lomond Foodbank. If you need help please don't hesitate to get in touch with your local foodbank. They can also point you in the right direction for any other help you may need.
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