Outside of Holyrood, Kidd also serves as co-president of the international organisation Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND).

Before entering politics, Kidd also worked as a clerk at the Western Infirmary and Glasgow Dental Hospital for many years.

[2] Kidd was the SNP candidate at the 1987 general election for Glasgow Hillhead but finished in fourth place with 2,713 votes, losing to George Galloway of the Labour Party.

He stood again for the SNP at Cunninghame South at the 2001 general election but finished in second place with 5,194 votes to Brian Donohoe of the Labour Party.

At the 2003 and 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, he was the SNP candidate for Glasgow Anniesland, finishing in second place on both occasions.