John Swinney has warned that working as both an MSP and an MP at the same time is “very demanding” as a row over double jobbing in the SNP continues.
The First Minister spoke out after Stephen Flynn, the Nationalist leader at Westminster, faced a backlash after he announced his intention to stand for election to Holyrood in 2026 without quitting his Commons seat.
Ivan McKee, a Cabinet colleague of Swinney, has earlier claimed that double jobbing “wasn’t sustainable” in a swipe at Flynn’s plans.
Some SNP MSPs are furious at the Westminster leader after he declared he wanted to stand in 2026 in Aberdeen South – a constituency currently held by Audrey Nicoll.
Asked today if he agreed with McKee’s comments, Swinney said: “Having had a dual mandate, it’s practically very demanding. That’s a very real factor that’s got to be considered in any judgement about that issue, as there is a need to undertake demands in both parliaments.
“I think Stephen’s got a huge contribution to make, he’s one of our great stars. He’s a superb contributor.
“It’s a matter for Stephen to determine, and for party members to determine as we go through the candidate selection process.
“But let there be no doubt I think Stephen is one of our stars.”
Asked about unhappiness among his MSPs at Flynn’s plans, Swinney added: “What I’m about doing is bringing my party together. There are going to be issues that cause disturbance and difficulty in the process. I’m not going to be immune from these challenges.
“But I think I have succeeded in bringing my party together in to a much better state of affairs.”
McKee had earlier praised Mr Flynn’s talent but cautioned against taking a dual mandate. “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 – which overlaps with a portion of the constituency he is seeking at 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.”
Ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election, the SNP implemented a rule aimed at stopping MPs from being able to stand for Holyrood without first resigning their Westminster seat.
The change was widely seen as an attempt to stop the then Edinburgh South West MP Joanna Cherry – a frequent critic of the party hierarchy – from taking a seat in the Scottish Parliament.
It remains for the party’s ruling body – the national executive committee – to decide if the policy will remain in place for the 2026 election.
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