Ian Hudghton was first elected to the European Parliament in 1998, as the North East SNP's unanimous choice candidate in the 1998 by-election following the death of Dr Allan Macartney. Prior to this he served as one of Scotland's four members of the EU Committee of the Regions. He was a successful campaign co-ordinator and election agent organising memorable victories for John Swinney and the late Allan Macartney.

An active member of the SNP since joining Forfar Branch in 1967, Ian was elected to the SNP controlled Angus District Council in 1986, serving eight years as Housing Convener. From 1994-96 he was Depute Leader of the minority SNP administration of Tayside Regional Council. In 1996 Ian became full-time Leader of Angus Council, prior to which he ran a decorating business for over twenty years. He is married with a son and daughter.

In the 1999 European elections Ian headed the SNP list, and at the SNP Annual Conference 2003, delegates voted overwhelmingly in his favour to once again head the Party's list of candidates for the 2004 Euro-elections in which the SNP held its 2 seats.

In July 2004 Ian was elected President of the European Free Alliance and Vice President of the Greens/EFA, then the 4th largest political group in the new, enlarged, European Parliament. He currently serves on the Fisheries, Transport & Tourism and Single Market & Consumer Protection Committees, using every opportunity to highlight the benefits which independent nation status for Scotland would bring!

In September 2005, Ian was elected to succeed Winnie Ewing as President of the Scottish National Party at the Party's Annual Conference, and was re-elected unopposed in 2006 and 2007.