The MP for Dunfermline and West Fife is preparing for the end of his time as an elected official.

Douglas Chapman’s last official engagement was at Rosyth Gala which was fitting as his political career started with a council by-election win in the town in 1997.

The SNP politician went on to become the city's MP in 2015. 

Reflecting on his career, he told the Press: "It’s been my absolute privilege and honour to serve all the people of this constituency at Westminster and to stand up for Scotland these past nine years.

"I thank you all for your support during this time and am grateful to all the constituents who stood by me through the slings and arrows of parliamentary life in the House of Commons.

"As I enjoyed my last official local engagement at the Rosyth Gala this past weekend, it struck me that this was a fitting book end to my time as a MP.

"Because for me it all started with a council by-election win in Rosyth in 1997, the first defeat of the Labour Party after Tony Blair’s landslide win earlier that year ... and being in Gordon Brown’s backyard made it all the sweeter!"

That was followed by six years working at the Scottish Parliament, 15 months as a campaign manager at SNP HQ - with the party taking power in 2007. 

He continued: "I then served for eight years as a senior councillor at Fife Council, delivering a new, but long awaited, Dunfermline High School and Carnegie Primary before becoming an MP in 2015 and heading to Westminster.

"Two General Elections swiftly followed in 2017 and 2019, where at the latter I won with a 10,699 majority and a huge turnout at the time, such was the breadth of feeling on the importance of SNP representation at Westminster.

“Over these years I’ve made many new friends across party political lines and have probably collected a few political enemies along the way too…such is politics.

"But I have loved every minute of it and am very grateful for some fabulous experiences and some important campaigns, not least to reinstate the ferry connection to Europe from Rosyth - a campaign which certainly ain’t over yet!

READ MORE: Staff from Babcock in Rosyth taking part in tough endurance challenge

“Looking back I am proud to have helped campaign for three new high schools in Dunfermline and look forward to the opening of the new Fife College later this year, the biggest Passivhaus education establishment in the UK.

“Support too for the Forth Greenport which, I hope, will create high quality jobs and opportunities for future generations and is another win we will benefit from long term.”

Mr Chapman said city status was "another wonderful win" and he aims to continue working on ensuring Dunfermline gets the most from this in terms of regeneration, growth and prosperity.

He went on: "Bringing two groups of young people, including two wonderful fifth year Dunfermline school pupils to the New York Times Climate Hub at COP26 to ensure their voices and concerns were heard on climate change, was another highlight for me.

"And of course, the absolute meat and potatoes of being an MP, our casework, where my fantastic team and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with a huge variety of inquiries is in truth the most vital and rewarding aspect of our work these past nine years.

“It's very much a political cliché, but I am genuinely looking forward to spending more time with my family and I would not have achieved any of the above without their love and support.

“So, while I am stepping back from the front line, there will be other interests to pursue, perhaps linked to my love for our city and for the main cause of independence which, and this is no secret, is at the heart of my political beliefs as essential for the future prosperity of our nation and the generations to come.

“My parting message remains – Let Scotland thrive and let’s thrive together!”