Re-elected MP attends Armed Forces Day

ARGYLL and Bute’s SNP MP Brendan O’Hara trooped to Lochgilphead for his first engagement since he retained his Westminster seat at the general election.

Mr O’Hara attended Armed Forces Day in Lochgilphead last Saturday, and took part in the inspection of the veterans, serving personnel and cadets.

After the event, Mr O’Hara said: ‘This is the third year running that I have attended and is a firm fixture in my diary. I wouldn’t miss it.’

Mr O’Hara was re-elected as Argyll and Bute’s MP as the SNP’s total national poll dropped below a million, losing 21 seats including Alex Salmond’s Gordon constituency to Conservative Colin Clark by 2,607 votes.

The margin in Argyll and Bute was even tighter with Mr O’Hara polling 17,304, winning by 1,328 over Conservative, Gary Mulvaney, who amassed 15,976.

Speaking moments after returning officer Cleland Sneddon declared the result, Mr O’Hara said: ‘In 2015, I promised the people of Argyll and Bute that I would be the hardest working MP that I possibly could.

‘And I believe that the result tonight is a justification that I have kept that promise.’

Earlier this week, Mr O’Hara added: ‘Brexit negotiations begin next week and I fear the UK is now severely compromised ahead of those discussions and I remain fearful of the outcome for Scotland.

‘The SNP has said from the outset we want a seat at the Brexit negotiating table to protect Scotland from Theresa May’s hard-Brexit stance.’

Brendan O’Hara, supported by his wife Catherine, daughters Niamh and Charlotte, and supporters, raise a cheer in Lochgilphead in the early hours of the morning.

The serious business of counting continues.

Conservative Gary Mulvaney waits for news.

Knitting helped one woman pass the time.

One of the ballot boxes is emptied before the counting begins.