Stephen Flynn claimed he could not double job as an SNP MP and councillor as backlash grows

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Double jobbing row MP Stephen Flynn quit as a councillor four years ago after claiming he could not effectively do two jobs at one time. But the SNP Westminster chief is now arguing he can be an MP and MSP simultaneously.

Flynn is under huge political pressure after announcing plans to seek selection as an SNP candidate for Holyrood in 2026. Party colleagues are angry as he wants to hold on to his Westminster seat if elected to the Holyrood parliament.

He has insisted he can carry out both jobs amid claims he will be a part-time MSP. However, old comments from Flynn show he was opposed to so-called dual mandates at an earlier stage in his career.

He was elected as the MP for Aberdeen South in December 2019 while he was an SNP councillor in the city. He quit the local authority quickly afterwards on the grounds he could not double job. “I have also consistently stated that it is not practically possible to serve a full term in a parliament and dedicate time to be an effective local councillor,” he told the Press and Journal.

He last week changed course and defended his ability to do two jobs in the future, citing the current and past SNP leaders as examples: “I’m not blind to the fact that I will have to box smarter and work even harder. Others have done it in the past, not least Alex Salmond and John Swinney, and I’m positive about the prospect of walking the path they previously trod.

“Finally, I also hope not to be alone on a potential path to Holyrood. Some of my current and former colleagues in Westminster, as well as many outwith the world of politics, will hopefully be aiming for elected office in Edinburgh. And that can only be a good thing.”

Flynn will challenge sitting SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll for the candidacy in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine - a move that has infuriated senior party colleagues.

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But his double job plan could be blocked by Holyrood if an amendment to elections legislation banning dual mandates is passed. Labour and the Greens will back Tory MSP Graham Simpson’s amendment to stop MPs from serving at Holyrood for longer than eight days.

The Lib Dems are considering the proposal and the SNP, which in recent years has been hostile to double jobbing, will be under pressure to support the amendment. The vote is expected before Christmas.

Labour MSP Martin Whitfield said: “Stephen Flynn’s plans have suffered a devastating rebuke from Stephen Flynn. This embarrassing contradiction shows that the SNP don’t think the rules apply to them. Being an MP or an MSP is a full-time job and Scottish Labour will back plans to end double-jobbing and give Scots the representation they deserve."

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