Brendan O'Hara
Brendan O'Hara | |
---|---|
![]() | |
SNP Spokesperson for Culture and Media | |
In office 20 June 2017 – 17 May 2018 | |
Leader | Ian Blackford |
Preceded by | John Nicolson |
Succeeded by | Hannah Bardell |
SNP Spokesperson for Defence | |
In office 20 May 2015 – 20 June 2017 | |
Leader | Angus Robertson |
Preceded by | Angus Robertson |
Succeeded by | Stewart MacDonald |
Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute | |
Assumed office 8 May 2015 | |
Preceded by | Alan Reid |
Majority | 1,328 (2.8%) |
Personal details | |
Born | Glasgow, Scotland | 27 April 1963
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. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Argyll and Bute in 2015. He is the SNP Culture and Media spokesperson in the House of Commons, and previously served as SNP Defence spokesperson.
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]
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]
In the 2017 snap general election he successfully retained his seat, however, with a reduced majority of 1,328 votes.[9][10]
References
- ^ Birth certificate of Brendan O'Hara, 27 April 1963, Glasgow District 4379/02 6840 – National Records of Scotland
- ^ a b "Rothesay hustings preview: who are the Argyll and Bute candidates?". The Buteman. Johnston Press. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Borland, Craig (4 February 2015). "O'Hara to fight Argyll and Bute for SNP". The Buteman. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2013". BAFTA Scotland. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Election 2015: Argyll & Bute Parliamentary constituency". BBC. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
- ^ Keith, Karen (24 May 2015). "Argyll and Bute's MP welcomes Trident safety debate". The Buteman. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Parliamentary debates". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 27 May 2015. col. 109–111.
- ^ "New SNP MPs make maiden House of Commons speeches". BBC News. BBC. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ "Argyll & Bute parliamentary constituency - Election 2017". BBC News. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ "SNP's Brendan O'Hara holds Argyll and Bute – but his majority plummets". Helensburgh Advertiser. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
External links
- Profile on SNP website
- Brendan O'Hara on Twitter