Stephen Flynn won't be double jobbing as SNP MP admits 'I got this wrong' over MSP bid

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has confirmed he won't seek a dual mandate to stand as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament while remaining an MP. Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South in the House of Commons, had previously stated his intention to run for Holyrood in 2026.

He had said he would have aimed to hold his Westminster seat until the next general election in 2029, but confirmed he would not have accepted two wages. Currently, the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at Holyrood is currently held by SNP's Audrey Nicoll.

BBC Scotland reports that Flynn said that he had attempted to obtain a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but said: Hands up, I’ve got this one wrong."

Speaking about his decision not to pursue the dual mandate, he added: “My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next general Election was genuine in its intent.

“Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place.”

His intention to stand caused anger within his party. Ahead of the election in 2021, the SNP changed internal rules which required MPs to resign their seat at Westminster if they wished to fight for selection to Holyrood. But the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party's ruling body, could potentially scrap the rule for contests ahead of 2026.

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First Minister John Swinney said last week that the SNP had yet to make a decision on whether its politicians could hold a dual mandate - where a single person sits in both Westminster and Holyrood.

Swinney, who held seats at both Westminster and Holyrood between 1999 and 2001, told BBC Scotland News: "We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates - I had a dual mandate myself for two years in the early days of devolution. The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this week, public finance minister Ivan McKee praised Flynn ’s talent, but cautioned against double-jobbing. “I think double-jobbing – working as an MP and an MSP – isn’t sustainable,” he said.

“I’ve got a full-time job as an MSP and a minister, I gave up work that I had, a consultancy and a directorship that I had that was paid work. I didn’t need to give it up when I came into Parliament, (but) I recognised that this was a full-time job that needs a full-time commitment.”

Asked if Flynn should resign his Westminster seat if he gets elected to Holyrood, McKee said: “I think Stephen’s got huge talent, he’s got a lot to offer to the party and the country in the years to come. I think you’ll know that the SNP is one of the most democratic parties, where members can stand to challenge sitting MSPs, and that applies to all of us.

“There was quite a number of those challenges in the last cycle, and that’s to be welcomed. Stephen has got every right to stand in a vacant seat or challenge another sitting member, of course he can, but as I say I think the idea that you can do both those jobs and give them due attention is not sustainable.”

The Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “This is a humiliating U-turn for Stephen Flynn. His plans were typical of arrogant SNP politicians who think there should be one rule for them and another for everyone else.

“However, even people in his own party saw right through his rank hypocrisy and made their feelings known. The public deserve better than nationalists prioritising their own career options, rather than addressing what Scots are really concerned about.”

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