While studying in America, Kennedy received the Social Democratic Party (SDP) nomination for the Scottish seat of Ross, Cromarty and Skye, which he went on to win in 1983, becoming the youngest sitting Member of Parliament, aged 23.
While studying in America, Kennedy received the Social Democratic Party (SDP) nomination for the Scottish seat of Ross, Cromarty and Skye in the 1983 general election, then held by the Conservative Hamish Gray. In a shock result, he won the seat becoming the youngest sitting Member of Parliament, aged 23.