Chris Law is the Scottish National Party (SNP) MP for Dundee Central, and was first elected at the 2015 general election (representing the former Dundee West constituency).

In the 2024 general election for the Dundee Central constituency, Law received 15,544 votes, representing 40.0% of the vote share. The Labour Party candidate received 14,869 votes (38.3%), while Liberal Democrat candidate secured 2,402 votes (6.2%). Law was duly elected with a majority of 675 votes.

The Dundee Central constituency is located within the city of Dundee, Scotland. The constituency was newly created for the 2024 general election. It was formed primarily from parts of the abolished Dundee West and Dundee East constituencies.

Law represented the predecessor Dundee West constituency from 2015 to 2024. The area covered by the former Dundee West seat was notably represented by Winston Churchill (Liberal) from 1908 to 1922.

Political Career

Law serves as the SNP Westminster spokesperson for business, international development, and trade (since July 2024).

Law was previously the SNP Westminster spokesperson for international development and climate justice from 2017 until 2022, before resigning after Stephen Flynn’s election as SNP Westminster leader. Flynn succeeded Ian Blackford, who denied being forced out of the leadership role.

In a statement, Law said: “I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign as the SNP’s shadow secretary for international development and climate justice.

“Serving in this role has truly been an honour and it is a role that I have thoroughly relished working in. I have been extremely fortunate to be in the position for the SNP to establish and develop relationships with activists and nongovernmental organisations from the local, national, and global development communities, and to help bolster the Scottish Government’s world-leading approaches on issues like climate justice and loss and damage.”

He added: “Polling released this week has been heartening, and truly believe we have never been closer to independence. You have my full support and I look forward to working with you and others in our party to develop our strategy as we continue to build a winning campaign.”

Law served on the House of Commons international development committee from 2017 to 2024, and the Scottish affairs committee from 2015 to 2017.

During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum campaign, Law toured Scotland in a distinctive, refurbished 1950s fire engine as part of the “spirit of independence” campaign.

Law is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for aid match and Armenia.

Law delivered his maiden speech on 2 July 2015, during a debate on Britain and International Security.

In it, he said: “Last year, 57% in Dundee voted yes in the referendum on Scottish independence, setting it again at the vanguard of Scottish politics. This House would do well to acknowledge the democratic will of Dundonians, because believe me when I tell you that Dundonians are proudly forthright, feisty and formidable.”

He added: “My mother lived with multiple sclerosis. I pay tribute to her memory – she was one of the most indomitable, strong women I have ever known. She relied on the welfare state to enable her to achieve the quality of life that she deserved. Without the safety net of the welfare state, the most vulnerable in our society are under attack by the very apparatus that should look after them. This government are abolishing disability living allowance in a way that is committing harm on our citizens.

“In addition, the independent living fund became a postcode lottery only yesterday in the rest of the UK. The exception is Scotland, where the Scottish Government have had the good sense and compassion to protect those who wish to live as normal a life as possible in their own home.”

Political Views

Brexit referendum: Law supported Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and therefore agreed with a majority of his constituents, 59.3% of whom also voted to Remain.

Article 50: In February 2017, Law voted against the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. The legislation empowered the prime minister to notify the Council of the European Union of the UK’s intention to withdraw, formally triggering the process set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. MPs supported the bill by 498 votes to 114 at second reading.

Customs union vote (2025): In December 2025, Law voted in favour of the UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill. The bill, introduced under the 10-minute rule procedure by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, sought to mandate the government to enter into negotiations with the European Union to establish a bespoke customs union. In total, 13 Labour MPs joined the Liberal Democrats in supporting the motion, while the majority of the party abstained.

Winter fuel payment EDM: In September 2024, Law signed an early day motion (EDM) expressing concern over the government’s proposed changes to the winter fuel payment. The motion called on the government to “postpone the ending of winter fuel payments and establish a comprehensive strategy to tackle fuel poverty, health inequality and low incomes among older people.”

Trident renewal (2016): Law voted against a government motion calling for the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent system in July 2016. The motion, which was passed by 472 votes to 117, committed the UK to constructing a new fleet of submarines to carry the nation’s nuclear weapons. Labour was split over the issue with 140 of its 230 MPs going against leader Jeremy Corbyn and backing the motion.

Law is a member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

Syria airstrikes (2015): Law voted against a government motion to extend UK airstrikes against Isis from Iraq into Syria in December 2015. The motion, which was passed by 397 votes to 223 after a ten-hour debate in the House of Commons, authorised the RAF to conduct strikes against Isis targets in Syria.

IPAC: Law is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) – an international, cross-party network of legislators from democratic countries focused on relations with the People’s Republic of China. The alliance, established on 4 June 2020, the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, was formed to unite “lawmakers worldwide, promoting democracy and addressing threats to the rules-based and human rights systems posed by the rise of China.”

Palestinian recognition letter (July 2025): In July 2025, Law was among the over 254 MPs to sign a cross-party letter calling for the government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine. The letter called on the prime minister and foreign secretary to recognise Palestine at the UN Conference then taking place in New York.

Ceasefire vote (November 2023): Law voted for a SNP amendment to the king’s speech in the House of Commons calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war. Labour had tabled a rival motion, making a more moderate appeal for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict.

Before Politics

Law was born in Edinburgh in 1969, and grew up in Fife.

He trained as a French chef, before studying Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews.

He spent 10 years running a business leading guided motorcycle tours in the Himalayas region.

After returning to Scotland from living abroad, Law worked as a financial advisor based in Dundee prior to entering politics.

Personal Life

Law spent time in foster care as a child and was a carer for his mother who has multiple sclerosis (MS).

Trivia

Law is known for his distinctive ponytail hairstyle.