David Linden (politician)

David Melvyn Linden (born 14 May 1990) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow East from the 2017 General Election until May 2024. 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.

Early life and education
David Linden was born on 14 May 1990 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in Cranhill and Garrowhill, and 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
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. Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a parliamentary assistant for Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central.

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.

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.

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.

During his time in Parliment, Linden charied the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Premature and Sick Babies as well as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nutrition for Growth.

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.

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".

In October 2023, Linden was re-selected as the SNP candidate for Glasgow East at the 2024 general election. He was defeated in his bid for re-election, and lost his seat to John Grady of the Labour Party.

Personal life
Linden is the father to two children with his first wife, Roslyn, whom he married in 2012. As of September 2021, Linden is in a relationship with Labour Party MP Cat Smith.

In his spare time, Linden enjoys fishing, and is a fan of Airdrieonians Football Club.