David Linden (politician)


David Melvyn Linden is a Scottish National Party politician. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow East since the 2017 general election.

Early life

Linden was born on 14 May 1990 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in Cranhill and Garrowhill in the East End of Glasgow. He was educated at Milncroft Primary School, Garrowhill Primary School and then Bannerman High School in Baillieston. He left school at the age of 16 and undertook an apprenticeship in Business Administration with Glasgow City Council. He worked for Glasgow Credit Union for two years.

Political career

He was the national convenor for the youth wing of the Scottish National Party, SNP Youth and campaigned for Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum. Linden worked as a researcher for John Mason MSP for Glasgow Shettleston. Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a parliamentary assistant for Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central.
At the 2017 general election, the incumbent MP for Glasgow East, Natalie McGarry, was not reselected by the SNP. Linden was instead selected as the candidate for the seat. He was elected, with a narrow majority of just 75 votes over Kate Watson of the Labour Party.
Linden voted for the United Kingdom to remain within the European Union in the 2016 UK EU membership referendum. In the indicative votes on 27 March 2019, he voted for a referendum on a Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Personal life

Linden is married to Roslyn, whom he met at church. She is a primary school teacher. They have a son and a daughter.