Douglas Chapman (Scottish politician)


Douglas Chapman is a Scottish National Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Dunfermline and West Fife since the 2015 general election. He is the SNP's Defence Procurement spokesperson.

Early life

Chapman was born in Edinburgh and grew up in Livingston and West Calder. He attended West Calder High School and has lived in the Dunfermline area since 1990, serving as a councillor for Rosyth and North Queensferry ward on Fife Council for nine years before becoming an MP.

Political career

At the 2010 general election Chapman contested the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat, but was defeated by the Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown by over 23,000 votes. Five years later in Dunfermline and West Fife, however, he took 50.3% of the overall vote with a 39.6% swing from his Labour predecessor Thomas Docherty. It was his third attempt to take the seat, having been defeated in 2005 and in a by-election in 2006. He retained his seat at the 2017 general election with a 35.5% share of the vote but a much reduced majority of only 844.
In the 2019 general election, Chapman held his seat, securing 23,727 votes. His nearest rival was Labour candidate Cara Hilton, who secured 13,028 votes.

Personal life

He is married with two children, and supports Hibernian FC.