Alma mater University of Dundee | Education University of Dundee | |
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Political party Scottish Conservative Party Party Scottish Conservative Party | ||
Maurice Charles Golden (born 12 January 1980) is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist politician who is Member of Scottish Parliament for the West Scotland region, elected in the Scottish Parliament election, 2016. In the Scottish Parliament, he is the Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. Golden is also Deputy Whip for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
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Early life and education
Golden attended the High School of Dundee and the University of Dundee from 1997 until 2001, and graduated with an MA (Honours) degree in Economics before going on to complete an MPhil in Urban and Cultural Histories and an LLM in Environmental Law. In 2010, Golden received qualification from the Chartered Institute of Waste Management.
Career
Golden has experience in the waste and energy sectors, previously working for Ofgem and Consumer Focus as well as with Local Authorities advising on kerbside collections. He led the Circular Economy Programme for Zero Waste Scotland after 2011.
Golden has been a member of the Conservative Party since 1998. Golden stood for election to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 as the Conservative candidate for Central Fife. Although he didn't win the seat, Golden increased the number of Conservative votes. He was selected as the Conservative Party candidate in the Glenrothes by-election for the Westminster Parliament in 2008, securing third place as Labour retained the seat. Two years later Golden secured second place in Central Ayrshire after standing in the 2010 UK General Election. In 2011, Golden stood for election to the Scottish Parliament in the Cunninghame North constituency.
In 2016, Golden stood for the Scottish Parliament as the Conservative candidate for Clydebank and Milngavie where he came third, then was elected from the West Scotland regional list. Golden is also Deputy Whip. Golden is deputy convener of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee in the Scottish Parliament.