MSPs have banned political double jobbing in the wake of the row over SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn trying to flit to Holyrood. MPs will now be disqualified from serving at the Scottish Parliament and Westminster at the same time.
Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South, sparked a huge backlash when he said he wanted to stand for Holyrood in 2026. His plan, which was condemned by party critics, involved toppling sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll and sitting in both parliaments. He later u-turned on his double jobbing plan.
The furore fuelled calls for a ban to be added to elections legislation going through Holyrood. Disqualification amendments by Tory MSP Graham Simpson were agreed unanimously by MSPs today.
Under the law change, Ministers will be required to produce regulations for a ban which will include a grace period for an MP elected to Holyrood.
Simpson said: “This is not a cosy club, this is a Parliament, this is not a second-rate chamber to be used as a part-time hobby, this is a serious Parliament and members should be fully focused on their work here. Being an MSP demands our full attention, it is a full-time job, we make laws for the people, not to protect the vested interests of individuals or parties. The amendments I am proposing today stand up for this Parliament and the standing that it should enjoy – double-jobbing should be consigned to history.”
In a further blow for Flynn’s Holyrood ambitions, it emerged during the Holyrood debate that the SNP had banned MPs from standing for Holyrood in 18 months’ time unless they first resign their Westminster seat. The decision was revealed by SNP Minister Jamie Hepburn.
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