David Whitton | |
|---|---|
 David Whitton MSP (right) withHilary Benn MP and Councillor Una Walker | |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament forStrathkelvin and Bearsden | |
| In office 3 May 2007 – 22 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Jean Turner |
| Succeeded by | Fiona McLeod |
| Majority | 3,388 (9.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1952-04-22)22 April 1952 (age 73) Forfar, Scotland |
| Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| Spouse | married |
| Children | two |
| Residence(s) | Kirkintilloch,East Dunbartonshire |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Website | davidwhittonmsp |
David Whitton (born 22 April 1952) is a Scottish journalist,Labour Party politician and formerMember of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). He was elected to theScottish Parliament forStrathkelvin and Bearsden in2007, defeating the incumbentIndependent MSPJean Turner, and losing the seat at the2011 election toFiona McLeod of theScottish National Party.
Whitton was educated at theMorgan Academy in Dundee. He began his journalistic career withD. C. Thomson in 1970 before moving to theFife Free Press and then theEvening Express inAberdeen, specialising in local government activities. He worked atThe Scotsman in Glasgow for three years then moved to theDaily Record where he became Industrial Editor in 1983. From 1986–96, Whitton worked atScottish Television in a variety of roles including producer of news and current affairs programmes, Lobby Correspondent atWestminster, presenter of political programming and on screen news reporter. He was Head of Public Affairs from 1994–96. Whitton's time atScottish Television was followed by a short period as a Director of the PR company,Media House. David Whitton is married and has two children and two grandchildren. He is a member of theNational Union of Journalists.
In 1999 Whitton becameSpecial Adviser to the then Scottish SecretaryDonald Dewar. Whitton was a member ofScottish Labour Party'sScottish Parliament election campaign responsible for organising broadcasting coverage and media activity for the Party leader.
Following the first Scottish Parliament elections, Whitton became Special Adviser to theFirst Minister of Scotland,Donald Dewar and Official Spokesman for theFirst Minister and theScottish Executive. Whitton delivered a reading at Dewar's funeral atGlasgow Cathedral on 18 October 2000.[1]
In 2000, Whitton established his ownpublic affairs consultancy with clients includingScottish Enterprise, TheScottish Council for Development and Industry, TheAl‑Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Whitton waselected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2007 for the constituency ofStrathkelvin and Bearsden becoming Parliamentary Aide toWendy Alexander MSP until her resignation as party leader on 28 June 2008. In addition to a position as Deputy Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance, he was a substitute member of theEconomy, Energy and Tourism Committee, Member of theFinance Committee, a member of theLabour Trade Union Group, and a board member of theScottish Parliamentary Business Exchange.In 2010/11 Whitton claimed more than £34,000 in expenses which was the sixth highest amount at the Scottish Parliament.[2]
In the SNP landslide victory in the2011 Scottish Parliament election, he lost his seat to Fiona McLeod, on a swing of 7.7%.
| Scottish Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the Scottish Parliament forStrathkelvin and Bearsden 2007–2011 | Succeeded by |