 During that time Dow led the fight against both the then Conservative and subsequent Labour Governments for funding for the proposed multi million pound Perth Flood Prevention Scheme much to the ire of local Tory Member of Parliament for North Tayside Bill Walker.In 1997 Dow stood for the SNP in the Stirling constituency against then Scottish Secretary of State Michael Forsyth coming third with 13.4% of the vote.In 2004 Dow was elected to the SNP's National Disciplinary Committee being re-elected in 2005 and 2006 when he was appointed convener of the committee in succession to Lachie McNeill.