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David Whitton MSP
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 David Whitton MSP (right) with Hillary Benn MP and Councillor Una Walker |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Jean Turner |
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| Majority | 3,388 (9.3%) |
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| Political party | Scottish Labour Party |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Committees | Finance Committee |
| Website | www.davidwhittonmsp.org.uk |
David Whitton MSP is a Scottish Labour Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden.
He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2007 election, defeating incumbent, Independent MSP, Jean Turner.
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Early life
David Whitton was educated at Morgan Academy in Dundee.
He began his journalistic career with DC Thomson in 1970 before moving to the Fife Free Press and then the Evening Express in Aberdeen, specialising in local government activities. David Whitton worked at The Scotsman in Glasgow for three years then moved to the Daily Record where he became Industrial Editor in 1983.
From 1986-1996, David Whitton worked at Scottish Television in a variety of roles including producer of news and current affairs programmes, Lobby Correspondent at Westminster, presenter of political programming and on screen news reporter. He was Head of Public Affairs from 1994-1996. David Whitton’s time at Scottish Television was followed by a short period as a Director of the PR company, Media House.
Political career
In 1999 David Whitton became Special Adviser to the then Scottish Secretary, the Rt.Hon.Donald Dewar MP. David Whitton was a member of Scottish Labour Party’s Scottish Parliament election campaign responsible for organising broadcasting coverage and media activity for the Party leader.
Following the first Scottish Parliament elections, David Whitton became Special Adviser to the First Minister of Scotland, Donald Dewar MSP and Official Spokesman for the First Minister and the Scottish Executive.
David Whitton delivered a reading at Donald Dewar's funeral at Glasgow Cathedral on 18 October 2000.
In 2000, David Whitton established his own public affairs consultancy with clients including Scottish Enterprise, The Scottish Council for Development and Industry, The Al‑Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies. During this period, he was also a member of the committee raising funds for the Donald Dewar chair of Social Justice.
Scottish Parliament
David Whitton was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2007 for the constituency of Strathkelvin & Bearsden becoming Parliamentary Aid to Wendy Alexander MSP until her resignation as Labour leader on 28 June 2008. In addition to his current position as Deputy Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance, he is a substitute member of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, Member of the Finance Committee, a member of the Labour Trade Union Group, and a Board member of the Scottish Parliamentary Business Exchange.
David Whitton is married and has two children and two grandchildren. On his Scottish Parliament Website, he lists his hobbies as "playing golf, listening to music, reading and playing with my grandchildren when I get the chance."
References
External links
| Scottish Parliament | ||
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| Preceded by Jean Turner |
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden 2007–present |
Incumbent |
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