MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
“A loyal SNP backbencher with above-average attendance who has held several shadow frontbench roles across Cabinet Office, culture and the Middle East.”
Brendan O’Hara is a Scottish National Party MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, first elected in 2015. He currently serves as Shadow SNP Spokesperson for Cabinet Office, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Middle East, following a career that has included roles such as SNP Chief Whip and several committee assignments. His parliamentary work has spanned foreign affairs, elections and disinformation oversight.
He votes 100% with his party and has no rebel votes, with attendance above his party’s average (58% vs 36%). His record shows support for Universal Credit and NHS funding, generally against stricter immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme, and a mixed pattern on VAT, transgender rights and trade union powers.
Declares eight financial interests, including visits outside the UK, gifts and hospitality from UK sources, family members employed, miscellaneous interests and a shareholding.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Scottish National Party average: 36%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Scottish National Party average: 100%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
17 positions
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Since Jul 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)
Since Jul 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Middle East)
Since Jul 2024
Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories
Nov 2023 - May 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee
Sept 2023 - May 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Sept 2023 - May 2024
SNP Chief Whip
Jan 2023 - Sept 2023
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (International Development)
Dec 2022 - Jan 2023
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill)
Nov 2022 - Nov 2022
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 6
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Opposition role · 10 Jul 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)
Opposition role · 10 Jul 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Middle East)
Opposition role · 10 Jul 2024
Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories
Parliamentary role · 14 Nov 2023
Foreign Affairs Committee
Parliamentary role · 12 Sept 2023
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Opposition role · 4 Sept 2023
SNP Chief Whip
Opposition role · 17 Jan 2023
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (International Development)
Opposition role · 10 Dec 2022
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
