Paul O’Kane MSP

Honoured to be welcomed to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

I talked to Ministers and people involved in their church about how we can work together for the common good.

Also great to present @christianaiduk.bsky.social with a motion I published to mark their 80th anniversary.

Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025 Motion reference: S6M-17555 That the Parliament welcomes that Christian Aid Week 2025 takes place from 11 to 17 May; understands that, across Scotland, churches and communities are fundraising to support the work of Christian Aid; commends churches, their congregations and communities across Scotland for their fundraising efforts; further commends Christian Aid for what it sees as the life-changing work that it undertakes around the globe, tackling poverty and injustice; believes that it plays an important role alongside other organisations in responding to humanitarian tragedies, particularly in war zones such as those in Ukraine and Gaza; recognises that this year marks 80 years since the establishment of Christian Aid; understands that Christian Aid was established by churches in the wake of the Second World War to support refugees in Europe, and has continued to support vulnerable individuals ever since, and expresses its deepest appreciation for the volunteers, staff and supporters of Christian Aid over the last 80 years, and into the future, whose ongoing efforts, it believes, continue to make a positive impact across the world.

This week marks Christian Aid Week 2025!

Churches, their congregations and communities across Scotland are fundraising to support the vital work of @christianaiduk.bsky.social Scotland tackling poverty and injustice.

Pleased to highlight their work this #CAW25 in my motion below 👇

Photo of a copy of the opening of the Neilston Learning Campus Programme.

Photo of Paul O'Kane and politicians standing next to a plaque to commemorate the opening of the learning centre.

Delighted to attend the official opening of the Neilston Learning Campus.

It has been a long journey since 2016.

Proud to have played my part & I couldn’t be happier for the pupils, teachers & the people of Neilston who will get to use it in the years to come.

A graphic containing the title and other details of a Scottish Parliament motion published by Paul O’Kane

The body of text of the motion. Below body of text is a Paul O’Kane MSP logo.

Tomorrow the 200th Neilston Agricultural Show will take place- a truly remarkable milestone for a cherished community event.

I am looking forward to attending with @blairmcdougall.com who, like me, published a motion to commemorate the bicentenary.

Read my motion below 👇

There is a worrying rise of youth violence in schools and in our communities.

Today I asked the First Minister if his government would invest in safe spaces and programmes for young people instead of holding more summits and talking shops.

A graphic containing two pictures. The picture to the left shows Paul O'Kane standing beside other politicians after laying wreaths at a Workers' Memorial Day ceremony. The picture to the left shows the order of service of that ceremony. Below both images is a Paul O'Kane MSP logo.

To mark Workers' Memorial Day I attended a WMD Ceremony in East Renfrewshire this morning.

Today we re-dedicate that the memory of all the workers who have died as a result of accidents at work will never be forgotten and we fight for the health and wellbeing of everyone at work.

This week I took an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Pope Francis.

In a debate about the current international situation, it felt only right to talk about the leadership and compassion he showed in times of trial and conflict.

A pleasure to welcome pupils from Uplawmoor Primary to Holyrood today.

A group of young people who are a credit to their parents and their teachers.

They came prepared with great questions!

Howwood is the latest place in West Scotland where I've held a street surgery.

They're a really effective way to meet constituents and understand how I can help them.

I'll be holding more in the coming weeks and could be in your street very soon!

John Swinney has been at the helm of the SNP Government for the last 17 years.

If he had a serious plan for our NHS then we would have seen it by now

Scotland needs a new direction.

To friends and constituents observing Passover across West Scotland and around the world, I hope it brings peace, joy and good health to you and your family.

Chag Pesach sameach!

A graphic showing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warning about there being an extreme risk of wildfires on Friday 11th April and Saturday 12th April. Under the graphic is a quote from SFRS urging people to be very careful doing anything that involves a naked flame.

The SFRS have issued an 'extreme risk' of wildfires alert across the whole of Scotland from today, April 11, until Saturday, April 12.

Please follow their advice and stay safe over the weekend.

For updates follow @scottishfirerescue.bsky.social or visit 👇

t.co/7kfBW33Hz5

Something is seriously wrong if staff at the RAH feel unable to raise concerns about patient safety to senior staff.

I'll be writing to NHS GG&C and the Health Secretary about these revelations.

The full story below 👇

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area...

A lovely day for a street surgery in Barrhead 😎🌞

There was plenty of issues and casework to take back to my office.

As always, if there's any issue that I can help you with please get in touch 👇

paulokanemsp.scot

Houston is one of the many places in West Scotland where I've held a street surgery.

Street surgeries are a really effective way for me to meet with constituents and find out how I can help them.

If you have an issue that I can help you with then please get in touch 👇

paulokanemsp.scot

A graphic with the words Eid Mubarak beside two lanterns. Below it the Paul O’Kane MSP logo.

Wishing Muslim constituents and friends in West Scotland and around the world a blessed and joyful Eid Mubarak!

#eidalfitr #eidmubarak

Scottish govenrment minister Christina McKelvie dies aged 57 McKelvie stepped back from her duties last summer after announcing she had breast cancer.

I am sorry to hear of Christina's passing. All my thoughts and prayers are with Keith, their family, friends & our colleagues.

We debated passionately but so often with humour & I enjoyed the work we did together on equalities & social justice.

May she rest in peace.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Roads and Parking🚗⛔️

NHS and the removal of the Strathgryffe Mobile Treatment Centre 🚐🏥

@martinmccluskey.bsky.social and I have plenty of issues to take up on behalf of constituents after a busy street surgery in Bridge of Weir

Paul O’Kane’s feet. He is wearing odd socks.

Wearing my #oddsocks because it’s #worlddownsyndromeday2025

Here’s to championing inclusion and diversity and starting conversations through #lotsofsocks

1,500 local people signed a petition, launched by @blairmcdougall.com & myself, to ask the Bank of Scotland to think again about the decision to close their branch in Barrhead.

The strength of feeling hasn’t changed & today I delivered that representation to the Mound in Edinburgh👇

I would urge anyone with an interest in accessing the fund to complete the online form to express their interest 👇

survey.alchemer.com/s3/8229499/C...

A very special thanks has to be given to campaigner Angela Dulley who has ensured that the CPT fund has remained a priority for the Scottish Government and who has worked tirelessly to ensure it is delivered.

Given the previous delays, we will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure delivery timescales are met.

The delivery of this fund is the result of the hard work and determination of campaigners and members of the Cross Party Group on CPTs and will make a huge difference to lives of so many of our fellow Scots.

A copy of a letter from the Minister of Social Care to Paul O'Kane confirming that the Changing Places Toilet Fund will be launched in Summer 2025. Beside the letter is a Paul O'Kane MSP logo.

A welcome letter from the Minister for Social care confirming that the Changing Places Toilets Fund will be launched this Summer and awards will be made in Autumn.

This was first promised by the Scottish Government in 2021.

Also an opportunity to hear from Ahmed Sourani - partner with @christianaiduk.bsky.social from Gaza on the unbearable situation & the need for a resumption of the ceasefire.

Paul O’Kane standjng beside his Scottish Labour colleagues and representatives of faith based groups in the Scottish Parliament.

This morning my @scottishlabour.bsky.social colleagues @anassarwar.bsky.social and @neilbibby.bsky.social and I were joined by Scottish faith based aid organisations & the Red Cross in Parliament.

@sciaf.bsky.social @britishredcross.bsky.social @islamicreliefuk.bsky.social

Good to be on the panel at the Child Poverty & the Public Debt Crisis: A National Conference at @uofglasgow.bsky.social

Some really informative discussions & insight into politicians’ approaches to the public debt crisis & child poverty.

@aberlourcharity.bsky.social @uofgpolicy.bsky.social

A picture of a landscape in Derry, Northern Ireland. In front of it is a quote attributed to St Colmcille about Derry.

Wishing everyone a very happy St Patrick's Day. 🍀

I am immensely proud to be part of the worldwide diaspora and working to foster links and connections.

On this day celebrating Ireland I am sharing some words of another Saint about hearth and home 💚

Lá Fhéile Phádraig sona daoibh ☘️

A graphic containing the words ‘Happy Purim’ next to the Paul O’Kane MSP Logo.

Wishing a very happy #Purim to all of the Jewish community in West Scotland and across the country.

I hope it has been filled with joy and happiness.