Paul O'Kane
Paul Francis O'Kane is a Scottish Labour Party politician who has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the West Scotland region since 2021.
Paul O'Kane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee | |
| Assumed office 22 June 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Emma Harper |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party |
Political career[]
Paul O'Kane has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland since the 2021 Scottish Parliament Election.[1] O’Kane has served as Deputy Convenor of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee since 2021.[2]
O'Kane has served as a member of East Renfrewshire Council since 2012 representing the people of Neilston, Uplawmoor and Newton Mearns North[3] and served as Deputy Education convenor. He was re-elected in 2017 to represent the new council ward Newton Mearns North & Neilston[4] following boundary changes and became Deputy Leader of East Renfrewshire Council as well as Convenor for Education and Equalities.
Whilst attending the University of Glasgow he was Chair of the University Labour Club.
Early life[]
Born in Paisley and raised in Neilston, Paul attended St Luke's High School in Barrhead where he was Head Boy. From there he went onto study at the University of Glasgow for an MA (Hons) in English Literature and Politics.
Personal life[]
Prior to being an MSP Paul worked in the charity sector. O'Kane is openly gay.[5] Paul is married and lives with his husband in Neilston. His interests include running and travelling
References[]
- ^ "Scottish Election 2021: List MSPs confirmed for West Scotland". Helensburgh Advertiser. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Session 6 Health Social Care and Sport Committee". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project - 2012 - East Renfrewshire". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Local government elections 2017 - East Renfrewshire Council". www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Scottish Labour's Paul O'Kane "honoured" to be first gay man elected for party". 12 May 2021.
External links[]
- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Paul O'Kane
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- Living people
- Labour MSPs
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026
- LGBT members of the Scottish Parliament
- Member of the Scottish Parliament stubs