London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Douglas Chapman is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician representing Dunfermline and West Fife since 2015. He is the SNP’s Small Business, Enterprise, and Innovation spokesperson. Douglas happens to be one of the most influential politicians. Many people take inspiration from his political career path. He has not only served as an MP but held many political positions in his career. If you are interested to know more about his political career and net worth, read below:
Bio & Early Life
Douglas Chapman was born on 5th January 1955. He grew up in Edinburgh and attended West Calder High School. Moreover, he has lived in the Dunfermline area since 1990. While he is serving as a counselor for Rosyth and North Queensferry ward on Fife Council for nine years. He had an interest in politics since his teenage years. It didn’t take much time for him to become a successful MP. His parents belonged to a middle-class family. However, he achieved everything due to his hard work and good luck.
Political Career
In 2010, Chapman contested the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat but lost to Gordon Brown by more than 23,000 votes. His third attempt to take the Dunfermline and West Fife seat five years later proved successful. As he gained 50.3% of the overall vote—a swing from his Labour predecessor Thomas Docherty of 39.6%.
Despite an 844-vote majority in 2017, Chapman managed to retain his seat with 35.5% of the vote. In the 2019 general election, Chapman retained his seat with 23,727 votes. His closest rival was Labour’s Cara Hilton (who nearly defeated Chapman in 2017).
Following the 2020 SNP internal elections, Chapman was elected as SNP National Treasurer, replacing Colin Beattie, who served for 16 years. His resignation as National Treasurer came in May 2021. It stated that he “had not received the support or financial information required to perform his fiduciary duties’.
From July 2018 to November 2019, Chapman served on the Public Accounts Committee. This examines the value for money of government projects, programs, and services. For many years, Chapman was the only Scottish MP on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. From 2017 to 2020, he was a member of the UK Delegation.
West Fife Rail Line
As a longstanding advocate for the reopening of the West Fife railway line to passengers, Chapman has been active. Since Lon gannet Power Station closed in 2016, the stretch between Alloa and Dunfermline has been mostly unused. Douglas has repeatedly urged Scotland’s transport ministers to reopen the line, citing its benefits for communities in West Fife and further afield. This is what he has to say about a new rail opening:
‘What is needed is cross-party support on what most agree is a vital transport link for Scotland. Only with national government and local councils working together, regardless of political opinion, can we ensure a 21st-century rail network suitable for the needs of the general population of Scotland’
“The establishment of the Forth Rail Link is only the beginning. Its construction increases the economic viability of the Levenmouth rail link and the St Andrews rail link. We should all be looking at this as phase one of a bright future for Scottish Rail.”
‘It is great to see the SNP make this a pledge in the run-up to the Holyrood elections. What we now need is for all parties to formally declare the same and not just stop on words but make a pledge to work to progress the project forward and work together with each other for the benefit of the electorate and this very important project’
Nordic/Arctic Councils/Regions
Douglas has long been an advocate of building closer ties between Scotland and the Nordic countries. Last June, during the first coronavirus lockdown, he wrote about the Scottish Government’s commitment to strengthening this bond. He noted that in such a turbulent time, ‘it is essential for us to take note of how these smaller northern nations’. Moreover, he reacted to the pandemic and what can be learned from them.
In 2021, Chapman formed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Arctic and Nordic Councils. He wanted to improve the knowledge of elected officials from both Houses regarding their activity in the High North. Moreover, he mentioned in an article for The National that Scotland and the UK must bind themselves to these Councils. Amid the severe difficulties of coronavirus, Brexit, and climate change, they need quick results.
Controversies
In August 2019, Chapman claimed without presenting any evidence, as the SNP Spokesperson on Defence Procurement, Peace & Nuclear Disarmament. He believed that the British Army’s 77th Brigade was involved in “attacking and undermining [the] democratic choices” of the Scottish people. According to some, Chapman may have been either intentionally or unintentionally involved in this tweet, which was based on Russian propaganda.
All these things created a lot of stir on social media. His tweets were not taken very well by the general public too. Despite all this, he has maintained a clean image in politics over the years. In one of his statements regarding railway lines, he revealed:
“Direct services would be good news for commuters who can get to work quicker and by using public transport. They would also give tourists easy access to the area bringing more money into the local economy and a boost for businesses. ‘An extension to the Stirling to Alloa line would give West Fife a direct rail service to Glasgow without having to go through Edinburgh, providing a valuable boost to local towns and villages’’.
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Personal Life & Relationships
Douglas is happily married and is blessed with two sons. He is a big fan and supports Hibernian FC religiously. Many people are inspired as he knows how to take care of his personal and professional life. Douglas is a popular and influential politician. This is why his net worth sees a steady increase each year. His total net worth stands at $5 million. Douglas believes in spending a luxurious life.