Former MEP to become President of the European Movement in Scotland

David Martin, former Labour Member of the European Parliament becomes President of the European Movement in Scotland 

 David Martin, who was the longest serving British Member of the European Parliament until Brexit, has become President of the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS). Mr Martin, who was also the youngest MEP to lead the Labour group in Europe, became EMiS President at the start of 2024.  

Mr Martin said: “The European Movement in Scotland has kept the light on for Scotland’s place in Europe.

“It brings great energy, knowledge and enthusiasm to its campaigning. I am proud to succeed to the presidency of such a dynamic organisation.”

 

EMiS Chair, David Clarke, said: ““We are delighted that David Martin has become our President. He is a great European and a great Scot.

“He has the deepest understanding of the politics of Scotland, the UK and the EU. He also brings a passion for peace, prosperity and democracy, values that are at the core of the European ideal. We are proud to have secured the commitment of such a distinguished political leader.”  

David Martin is a former Scottish European Parliamentarian of the Year and a former European Parliament Trade MEP of the Year. During his time as an MEP, he led on trade and development, human rights, constitutional affairs and democracy. He authored over one hundred reports for the Parliament and served for 15 years as its Vice-President, leading reforms of its working methods.  

David Martin was a Member of the First Minister of Scotland’s Standing Council on Europe. He was a visiting Professor at the University of Glasgow (2019-2022) and Senior Fellow at RSIS in Singapore, one of Asia’s leading centres of International Studies.  He was educated at Heriot Watt University and the University of Leicester. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of the Punjab, in recognition of his work to strengthen relations between the EU and Pakistan.    

David Martin becomes EMiS President in succession to the SNP’s Michael Russell, who has taken up a public appointment.