Brendan O'Hara MP

Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute

News

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

News

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I know there is a lot of concern across Argyll and Bute about the impact the virus is having on our communities, our local businesses and the economy especially those in our hugely important food and drink industry, as well as hospitality and tourism.

Johnson’s deal ‘social and economic disaster’ for Argyll & Bute

News

I can’t vote for a ‘deal’ that undermines our farmers, fishermen and future opportunities for young people Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will vote against Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit EU trade deal. I will do so because the deal we are being asked to support is woefully deficient, as it undermines our farmers, our fishing communities and the […]

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 […]

Brendan on Facebook

Brendan O’Hara MP

3 hours ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
The SNP are calling on the UK government to rethink its decision to backtrack on promises made to protect EU-derived workers’ rights, following the shambolic Brexit agreement.Having initially claimed they would protect workers’ rights post-Brexit, reports from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) suggest that the UK government now plan to rip up many key workers’ rights, including rest breaks, holiday entitlement and ending the 48-hour working week.The SNP have repeatedly expressed its commitment to Fair Work, and to protecting and enhancing all UK workers’ rights. The SNP Scottish Government published its Fair Work Action Plan last year to drive forward an ambitious plan to make workers’ right the norm in the workplace.Commenting, my colleague Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, Gavin Newlands said:“This is the latest example of why the Tories cannot be trusted. They have shown time and again they will happily break promises given during the referendum no matter what the cost may be.“If the UK government were intent on protecting workers’ rights, then they would simply maintain those that are already enshrined in EU law – rather than ploughing ahead with a review and selecting what they want to keep.“The SNP and Scottish Government will continue to fight alongside trade unions to challenge the UK government on this decision. Unlike this Tory government, the SNP believes in fair workers’ right for all."That is why I am calling on the UK government to follow through on their commitment to protect workers' rights. I would also urge MPs from all parties to support my Bill to ban the shameful practice of firing, and then re-hiring with reduced rights and salary. “A simple amendment to existing employment legislation would benefit millions of people overnight. We must put party differences aside and work together in the interest of workers across these isles.” ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Brendan O’Hara MP

4 days ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
The Tory government’s disastrous Brexit deal has come under further criticism after reports that some UK firms could resort to burning their goods because it is cheaper than navigating the Brexit red tape to return them to the UK.The BBC reported that retailers may ditch products customers from the EU are looking to return, due to terms in the trade deal adding on high costs.Adam Mansell, head of the UK Fashion & Textile Association, warned that it is "cheaper for retailers to write off the cost of the goods than dealing with it all, either abandoning or potentially burning them."Meanwhile, the Times has reported today that thousands of internet shoppers face eye-watering additional costs - including customs, VAT and delivery charges - on orders from the EU. Goods costing more than £135 can be subject to customs duties of up to 25% of the product cost. Meanwhile, delivery firms are adding additional 'handling fees' to cover the cost of customs clearance - with Royal Mail charging £8, DHL charging 2.5% or a minimum of £11, and TNT adding £4.31 to all shipments.Commenting, my colleague and SNP Shadow Business spokesperson Drew Hendry MP said:“From businesses right through to consumers, the Tories disastrous Brexit deal is delivering a severe financial blow and imposing eye-watering costs and delays.“Reports that some firms could resort to ditching goods - or go as far as burning them - because it’s cheaper than having them returned from the EU, speaks volumes of how bad Brexit is for business.“Previously, firms and customers were able to purchase and return products with ease across the EU - Brexit has made that a thing of the past, with customers and firms paying the price. “Scotland can do so much better than the Brexit mess being imposed upon us against our will. The only way to properly protect our interests is to become an independent country and part of the EU.” ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Brendan O’Hara MP

6 days ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
This is a press release I issued earlier today following the Tories' failure to support calls to continue the £20 Universal Credit uplift for families and individuals who badly need this extra income just now.The SNP has repeated calls for the UK government to maintain the £20 boost to Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits after a welfare expert warned that ending it in March would be "too punitive a policy right now" and it is “not the right thing to do.” Dame Louise Casey, a former homelessness adviser to the UK government, has repeatedly echoed the SNP’s calls to strengthen welfare protections and previously warned that the UK faces a "period of destitution" where families "can't put shoes on" their children. The renewed call comes after a growing backlash from the third sector towards the Tory government after it failed to oppose plans to cut the Universal Credit uplift in yesterday’s vote. While the SNP voted against the cuts, Scottish Tory MPs abstained - despite Douglas Ross previously backing an extension uplift. Commenting, the SNP’s Inclusive Society spokesperson, Brendan O’Hara MP said:"If the UK government won't listen to the SNP and the countless anti-poverty campaigners then it must listen to its own former homelessness adviser - who has warned cutting the Universal Credit uplift is ‘not the right thing to do.’ “The Chancellor must make the Universal Credit uplift permanent and roll it out to legacy benefits, if we are to protect the incomes of six million people in the middle of an economic crisis and global pandemic. And he must commit to this now to stop the uncertainty and stress for millions who are finding it impossible to plan with the UK government’s sporadic decisions and U-turns. People cannot continue to live their lives like this. “It will take more than maintaining and extending the uplift to fix the damage done to millions of families – the UK social security system needs a total overhaul - but it would be a start. “Dame Louise Casey said pushing ahead with cuts to Universal Credit would see the Tory party viewed as the ‘nasty party’ – unfortunately many families in Scotland and across the UK already view them as such after suffering from a decade of Tory austerity cuts and/or being left out of available coronavirus support for months. “And the spineless six Scottish Tory MPs have done nothing to change the people in Scotland's minds on this. They abstained on the vote to cut Universal Credit yesterday and have consistently failed to stand up for Scotland. They cannot be trusted to protect Scotland's interests."Scotland shouldn't have to wait for Westminster to act. Westminster’s repeated failures have proven that the only way to secure a strong, fair and equal recovery is for Scotland to become an independent country - with the full powers needed to build a fairer society." ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Brendan O’Hara MP

6 days ago

Brendan O’Hara MP
Last night my SNP colleagues and I voted to stop the NHS from being ripped out of public ownership and potentially sold off to the highest bidder as part of the UK Government’s post-Brexit Trade Bill. We all know, more than ever just now, that the fundamental principles of the NHS – to provide a free health service accessible to all - is crucial to civil society and our wellbeing. The House of Lords had amended legislation to protect our NHS from being sold to the highest bidder and for NHS workers rights and patient data to be protected , but last night, despite our best efforts, the amendment was rejected by the Tories – including all Scots Tories - who followed their party whip. It is shameful that as everyone working for the NHS faces immense pressure just now and everyone of us follows Covid guidance to ‘stay at home’ in order to protect this most vital of services, that the Tories would reject any attempts to protect it. They may say the NHS is not for sale, but we have no reason to believe them. They have failed to stick to any other pledge they made, telling us that we’d all be better off after Brexit yet we are seeing day in day out the harm they are doing to across all sectors of business and our everyday lives. The government at Westminster has consistently opposed amendments that would enshrine NHS protection in law, including the SNP Private Members Bill that would do just that – proving the Tories cannot be trusted. They have once again put profit over people. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nhs-trade-deal-protections-sell-off-b1789867.html You can see how MPs voted here hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-01-19/division/9760772F-C206-4B9A-84B8-64F1FB9DDFC5/TradeBill?...Concerns trade deal with US could open up UK health market ... See MoreSee Less

Video

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
As fish, seafood and shellfish producers from across the Scotland and the rest of the UK take their protest to Westminster today, I have made a direct appeal to Boris Johnson to step up and provide a multi-million pound package of compensation as a matter of urgency. I have written to the PM calling on him to take urgent action to protect the industry which is unable to export to EU markets because of “excessive” Brexit red tape.Businesses including those in Argyll & Bute are on the brink after losing thousands of pounds worth of sales since Scotland was forced out of the EU on January 1.Despite claims that trade with our most important partners in the EU would be ‘frictionless’ after Brexit, our producers have been plunged into a crisis not of their own making; they are the collateral damage of a Tory party hell-bent on leaving the EU at any cost.In a specially convened meeting of SNP MPs and Logistics UK on Friday) I told them I have been contacted by one local seafood company which showed administration and checks on live exports had more than quadrupled since January 1. For them this is almost unsurvivable, they cannot afford the excessive bureaucracy and checks that are now being imposed. Boats are tied up, people haven’t had an income since before Christmas and all because the new process takes too long, is too complicated and this is driving customers in Europe away. This chaos is decimating an industry which was told leaving the EU would provide a ‘sea of opportunity’. Instead, they have been sold down the river.At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, the PM agreed businesses would be compensated. Later this week he rolled back on that promise. I have now written to him to demand he takes urgent action to compensate everyone affected by this disaster. At every single turn my SNP colleagues and I warned of the chaos of Brexit, yet the Tories took it to the wire giving those involved in exports no time to prepare. It is thoroughly depressing that we are now in a live test situation where businesses across Scotland are being sacrificed by a shambolic and inept government that disregarded the warning signs. These jobs and livelihoods might not matter to the Tories – but they matter to Scotland and the SNP.fb.watch/35i2AGw52a/ ... See MoreSee Less

Video

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
AvatarPolar Research and Policy Initiative (PRPI)@PolarRPI·
2h

This is an incredible story of how #Scotland-#Greenland collaboration can change lives. Hats off to @polar_academy for building a hugely effective and transformative #Arctic programme!

@CraigMathieson4 @BrendanOHaraMP @bertoldi_fra @GreenlandEU https://twitter.com/polar_academy/status/1354027072780455936

The Polar Academy@polar_academy

Polar Academy Graduate, Arran Goddard appears in this weeks Sunday Post.
Please read Arran's incredible story - I'm looking forward to the day when Arran joins the Polar Academy again, not as a student but as a guide.

Reply on Twitter 1354033885433253888Retweet on Twitter 13540338854332538884Like on Twitter 13540338854332538885View on Twitter 1354033885433253888
AvatarStewart McDonald MP@StewartMcDonald·
25 Jan

Quite revealing this line of argument. On this line of thinking, if there's no mandate for one policy there's no mandate for any - no matter who wins the election in May. Scotland mustn't be boxed in by the poverty of aspiration of yesterday's men. https://reut.rs/3iUBn69

Reply on Twitter 1353650540408877057Retweet on Twitter 135365054040887705769Like on Twitter 1353650540408877057219View on Twitter 1353650540408877057
AvatarToni Giugliano for Dumbarton@ToniGiugliano·
25 Jan

Dumbarton wants a full-time MSP that is focused on #Dumbarton.

If you live locally please take this survey on the proposed new A82 relief road - let me know where you stand.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DVNYH3H?fbclid=IwAR3DrD0JtF0029dCOCTOGL9P_d0H0yIQNYAF_m2gssYpF-9hpg-IICDtLHg

Reply on Twitter 1353670423192481793Retweet on Twitter 13536704231924817938Like on Twitter 135367042319248179310View on Twitter 1353670423192481793
AvatarCompassion UK@compassionuk·
25 Jan

This Friday we’re delighted to be joining @DavidLinden in hosting @BrendanOHaraMP @GradySNP @stephenctimms and @JimShannonMP, taking a virtual tour of one of our Child Survival projects in #Togo.

Reply on Twitter 1353654263961051137Retweet on Twitter 13536542639610511374Like on Twitter 13536542639610511377View on Twitter 1353654263961051137
AvatarArgyll and Bute Council@argyllandbute·
25 Jan

Parents of children in Argyll and Bute who were born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019, are being invited to register them for a funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) place this week.

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2021/jan/register-your-child-early-learning-and-childcare-elc

Reply on Twitter 1353645907993108480Retweet on Twitter 13536459079931084809Like on Twitter 13536459079931084808View on Twitter 1353645907993108480
AvatarKirsten Oswald MP@kirstenoswald·
24 Jan

“It’s not about what I want or what Boris Johnson wants. It’s about what the people of Scotland want, and the increasing evidence is that they want independence” @NicolaSturgeon pointing out to #Marr that people in #Scotland must decide their own future.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #YES

Reply on Twitter 1353282069787533312Retweet on Twitter 1353282069787533312750Like on Twitter 13532820697875333124227View on Twitter 1353282069787533312