David Linden | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| SNP Spokesperson for Social Justice in theHouse of Commons | |
| In office 10 December 2022 – 5 July 2024 | |
| Leader | Stephen Flynn |
| Preceded by | Kirsty Blackman |
| SNP Spokesperson for Work and Pensions in theHouse of Commons | |
| In office 1 February 2021 – 29 March 2022 | |
| Leader | Ian Blackford |
| Preceded by | Neil Gray |
| Succeeded by | Kirsty Blackman |
| SNP Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government in theHouse of Commons | |
| In office 7 January 2020 – 1 February 2021 | |
| Leader | Ian Blackford |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Patricia Gibson |
| Member of Parliament forGlasgow East | |
| In office 8 June 2017 – 30 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Natalie McGarry |
| Succeeded by | John Grady |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Melvyn Linden (1990-05-14)14 May 1990 (age 34)[1] Glasgow, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
David Melvyn Linden[2] (born 14 May 1990) is aScottish National Party (SNP) politician who served as theMember of Parliament (MP) forGlasgow East from the2017 General Election until May 2024.[3] He served as the SNPSpokesperson for Work and Pensions from 2021 to 2022 and the Spokesperson forHousing, Communities and Local Government in theHouse of Commons from 2020 to 2021.
David Linden was born on 14 May 1990 inGlasgow, Scotland.[4] He grew up inCranhill andGarrowhill,[5] and was educated at Milncroft Primary School, Garrowhill Primary School and thenBannerman High School inBaillieston.[6][7][8] He left school at the age of 16 and undertook an apprenticeship in Business Administration withGlasgow City Council.[9] He worked for Glasgow Credit Union for two years.[10]
Linden was the national convenor for the youth wing of theScottish National Party, SNP Youth and campaigned forScottish independence in the2014 independence referendum. Linden worked as a researcher forJohn Mason MSP.[11] Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a parliamentary assistant forAlison Thewliss, MP forGlasgow Central.[12]
At the2017 general election, Linden was elected as MP forGlasgow East with 38.8% of the vote and a majority of 75 votes.[12][13][14][15]
Linden voted for the United Kingdom to remain within theEU during the2016 UK EU membership referendum. In the indicative votes on 27 March 2019, he voted fora referendum on a Brexit withdrawal agreement.[16]
At the2019 general election, Linden was re-elected as MP for Glasgow East with an increased vote share of 47.7% and an increased majority of 5,566.[17][18][19][20]
During his time in Parliament, Linden chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Premature and Sick Babies as well as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nutrition for Growth.[21]
In November 2020, Linden was reprimanded for using taxpayer's money to send 200 birthday cards to children turning 18, using prepaid envelopes embossed with a Westminster logo. A parliamentary inquiry said he had used them to promote himself and ordered him to pay back £147.34 in postage. Linden admitted he had breached the parliamentary code of conduct.[22]
In November 2021, thedefence secretary,Ben Wallace, accused a delegation of MPs, including Linden, of conduct that "put military personnel in a difficult position" after drinking in an airport departure lounge and once in the air during a visit toGibraltar-based soldiers. They were also accused of being impolite to airport staff. An SNP spokesman denied the allegations, describing them as "false".[23]
In October 2023, Linden was re-selected as the SNP candidate for Glasgow East at the2024 general election.[24] He was defeated in his bid for re-election, and lost his seat toJohn Grady of theLabour Party.
Linden is the father to two children with his first wife, Roslyn, whom he married in 2012.[25] As of September 2021, Linden is in a relationship withLabour Party MPCat Smith.[26]
In his spare time, Linden enjoys fishing, and is a fan ofAirdrieonians Football Club.[21]
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| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forGlasgow East 2017–2024 | Succeeded by |
