David Linden | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| SNP Spokesperson for Social Justice in the House of Commons | |
| Assumed office 10 December 2022 | |
| Leader | Stephen Flynn |
| Preceded by | Kirsty Blackman |
| SNP Spokesperson for Work and Pensions in the House 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 the House of Commons | |
| In office 7 January 2020 – 1 February 2021 | |
| Leader | Ian Blackford |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Patricia Gibson |
| Member of Parliament for Glasgow East | |
| Assumed office 8 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Natalie McGarry |
| Majority | 5,566 (14.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Melvyn Linden 14 May 1990[1] Glasgow, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
David Melvyn Linden[2] (born 14 May 1990) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow East since 2017.[3] He served as the SNP Spokesperson for Work and Pensions from 2021 to 2022 and the Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government in the House of Commons from 2020 to 2021.
David Linden was born on 14 May 1990 in Glasgow, Scotland.[4] He grew up in Cranhill and Garrowhill,[5] and was educated at Milncroft Primary School, Garrowhill Primary School and then Bannerman High School in Baillieston.[6][7][8] He left school at the age of 16 and undertook an apprenticeship in Business Administration with Glasgow City Council.[9] He worked for Glasgow Credit Union for two years.[10]
Linden was the national convenor for the youth wing of the Scottish National Party, SNP Youth and campaigned for Scottish independence in the 2014 independence referendum. Linden worked as a researcher for John Mason MSP.[11] Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a parliamentary assistant for Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central.[12]
At the 2017 general election, Linden was elected as MP for Glasgow 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 the EU during the 2016 UK EU membership referendum. In the indicative votes on 27 March 2019, he voted for a referendum on a Brexit withdrawal agreement.[16]
At the 2019 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]
Linden chairs 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, the defence 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 to Gibraltar-based soldiers. They were also accused of being impolite to airport staff. An SNP spokesman denied the allegations, describing them as "false".[23]
Linden is the father to two children with his first wife, Roslyn, whom he married in 2012.[24] As of September 2021, Linden is in a relationship with Labour Party MP Cat Smith.[25]
In his spare time, Linden enjoys fishing, and is a fan of Airdrieonians Football Club.[21]
