Brendan O'Hara

Brendan O'Hara
MP
SNP Spokesperson on Defence
Assumed office
20 May 2015
Preceded by Position established
Member of Parliament
for Argyll and Bute
Assumed office
8 May 2015
Preceded by Alan Reid
Majority 8,473 (16.3%)
Personal details
Born (1963-04-27) 27 April 1963
Glasgow, Scotland
Political party Scottish National Party
Alma mater University of Strathclyde

Brendan O'Hara (born 27 April 1963)[1] is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Argyll and Bute in 2015. He is the SNP Defence spokesperson in the House of Commons.

Early life and Education

Born in Glasgow, O'Hara was educated at St. Andrew's Secondary, Carntyne, and attended Strathclyde University from where he graduated with a 2:1 in Economic History and Modern History.[2]

Director and producer

He has had a successful career as a TV producer. He wrote, produced and directed the "Road To Referendum" documentary series[3] which was broadcast on STV in 2013 and was subsequently nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award in the Current Affairs category.[4] He has worked for STV, Sky Sports and the BBC. His credits include Comedy Connections and Movie Connections (BBC1), The Football Years (STV) and Scotland’s Greatest Album (STV). O'Hara is currently working on David Hayman’s second series, following in the footsteps of Tom Weir.[2]

Since 2004 he has lived in Argyll and Bute, in Helensburgh. With his wife and two daughters.

Political career

O'Hara was an unsuccessful candidate for the SNP on two occasions. He contested Glasgow Springburn at the United Kingdom general election, 1987 securing 3,554 votes (10.2% share). He also stood in Glasgow Central at the United Kingdom general election, 1992 securing 6,322 votes (20.8% share).

In 2015 he received 22,959 votes (44.3% share) in Argyll & Bute, and unseated the sitting Liberal Democrat MP Alan Reid by 8,473 votes.[5] On 20 May 2015, he was appointed the party's spokesman for defence.[6] He was the first of the 2015 intake to make his maiden speech.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Birth certificate of Brendan O’Hara, 27 April 1963, Glasgow District 4379/02 6840 – National Records of Scotland
  2. 1 2 "Rothesay hustings preview: who are the Argyll and Bute candidates?". The Buteman (Johnston Press). 18 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  3. ↑ Borland, Craig (4 February 2015). "O’Hara to fight Argyll and Bute for SNP". The Buteman. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2013". BAFTA Scotland. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Election 2015: Argyll & Bute Parliamentary constituency". BBC. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  6. ↑ Keith, Karen (24 May 2015). "Argyll and Bute’s MP welcomes Trident safety debate". The Buteman. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Parliamentary debates". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 27 May 2015. col. 109–111.
  8. ↑ "New SNP MPs make maiden House of Commons speeches". BBC News (BBC). 27 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Alan Reid		 Member of Parliament
for Argyll and Bute
2015–present 		Incumbent
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