2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Andrew Quinn)
MSPs will vote next week on whether to ban double jobbing after Stephen Flynn caused uproar by planning to serve an MSP and MP at the same time. The Scottish Government has been working on amendments to election legislation which would ban MPs and peers in the House of Lords also sitting as MSPs. If backed by MSPs, a third amendment could also ban councillors from simultaneously serving as MSPs, though this would only happen after a public consultation.
It comes after the outcry when SNP Westminster leader Flynn said he wanted to stand for Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. He had initially planned to remain as an MP, but criticism from party colleagues forced him to admit he “got it wrong”. A number of MSPs have previously served in both Holyrood and Westminster, including both former first minister Alex Salmond and former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.
It could be a problem for Labour MSP Katy Clark, who is currently a member of the House of Lords. She has been on a 'leave of absence' from the Lords since being elected to Holyrood in 2021. Regulations would then be introduced in time for the Holyrood elections in May 2026.
SNP parliamentary business minister Jamie Hepburn said the Scottish Government “has been clear that it is supportive of ending the practice of dual mandates where MSPs are also able to be MPs or peers”. He said MSPs had not “fully considered” the issue earlier in the legislative process, he said he had committed to holding a public consultation, to allow political parties, the local government body Cosla and the public to have their say. Hepburn added: “I have worked closely with Graham Simpson MSP ahead of the final stage of the Bill to ensure that amendments to the Bill, if passed by Parliament , will mean that regulations – informed by the consultation responses – can be introduced in 2025 to prohibit MSPs from also serving as MPs and peers ahead of the 2026 election “I will publish the public consultation in January 2025 and introduce regulations in autumn 2025, which will then be subject to scrutiny and a vote by MSPs .
” Hepburn said: “I hope that Parliament will support these amendments as a good solution to ensure the issue of dual mandates can be considered properly and regulations informed fully, whilst ensuring the changes can take place ahead of the 2026 election.” To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
