Background
He was born in Greenock in western Scotland.
He was born in Greenock in western Scotland.
Fletcher first stood for Parliament in the 1970 General Election at West Renfrewshire. However, at the 1987 general election he lost his seat to future Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling. Fletcher was Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 1979 to 1983, and Minister for Corporate and Consumer Affairs 1983 to 1985.
He died in Westminster but was returned to Edinburgh for burial.
45th United Kingdom Parliament. 46th United Kingdom Parliament. 47th United Kingdom Parliament.
48th United Kingdom Parliament.
49th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was elected as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Edinburgh North at a by-election in 1973, serving there until 1983, when after boundary changes he became Member of Parliament for Edinburgh Central.