Career
Since the 2004 European elections, he has led the currently seven-strong European Free Alliance Group in the Parliament, which retains its own identity within the joint Green-European Free Alliance Group. Before becoming an Member of the European Parliament he had been a successful election agent for John Swinney and Allan Macartney, a District and Regional Councillor and the first elected leader of the unitary Angus Council after its foundation in 1995/6. In September 2005 Hudghton was elected as President of the Scottish National Party, following the retirement of Winnie Ewing.