Stephen Flynn withdraws bid for dual MP-MSP role

Stephen Flynn, who leads the SNP in Westminster, has announced he will not pursue a dual mandate, meaning he will not seek election as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament while continuing to serve as an MP. Flynn, the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South, stated: “Hands up, I’ve got this one wrong.” Previously, he had indicated an intention to retain his Westminster seat until the next general election, scheduled for 2029, while declining to receive two salaries. The Scottish Parliament constituency of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine is presently represented by the SNP’s Audrey Nicoll. Flynn explained that he had pursued a dual mandate “for the right reasons,” but conceded that this did not alter the fact that his approach was mistaken. He stated: “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.” Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Conservative deputy leader, characterized Flynn’s reversal as “a humiliating U-turn.” She further commented: “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.” Flynn’s previous intention to seek the dual role had generated discontent within his own party. Prior to the 2021 election, the SNP amended its internal regulations, mandating that Members of Parliament must relinquish their Westminster seats to contend for selection to Holyrood. The party’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), has the authority to potentially abolish this rule for contests preceding 2026. Stephen Flynn’s announcement regarding his future was issued on Thursday evening, coinciding with his attendance at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards. While this reversal, which he was compelled to make, may not earn him accolades for strategy, the astute MP is expected to continue his political career. His remarks do not fully clarify his future intentions, emphasizing that he will not pursue roles as both an MSP and an MP, yet without explicitly stating a plan to resign from one parliament to serve in the other. Mr. Flynn evidently continues to envision his political future within Holyrood, which he refers to as the “heart of Scottish democracy,” and it is considered improbable that he would defer another attempt until 2031. He has also been identified as a prospective leader of the SNP. Although he has emphasized his belief that John Swinney will remain in his position for some time, Flynn has also articulated that the party requires leadership from an MSP. However, he appears to be maintaining flexibility regarding his options, stating his desire to await the SNP’s decisions concerning its candidate rules for 2026. Should the party determine that MPs must resign prior to seeking a Holyrood seat—a policy implemented in 2021—this presents a somewhat greater risk than if it merely required them to step down from Westminster after successfully securing a seat in Edinburgh. Mr. Flynn must also assess the reception of this controversy among local SNP members and, ultimately, the electorate in Aberdeen. His ambition is widely known, and he might be experiencing some repercussions from the outcome of his recent political maneuver. Nevertheless, it is anticipated by many that he will ultimately persist in his efforts to secure a position in Holyrood, potentially aspiring to lead the SNP in due course. First Minister John Swinney stated last week that the SNP had not yet reached a decision regarding whether its politicians could hold a dual mandate, defined as a single individual serving in both Westminster and Holyrood. Swinney, who himself held seats in both parliaments between 1999 and 2001, informed BBC Scotland News: “We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates.“The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.”” Opposition parties have advocated for the prohibition of dual mandates, with the Conservatives re-introducing an amendment to the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill aimed at outlawing the practice before the 2026 election. A vote on this matter is anticipated before Christmas, with both Labour and the Greens indicating their support for the initiative.