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MSPs back plans to end 'double-jobbing'

PA Media Stephen Flynn looking at the camera. The House of Commons is behind him. He is wearing a white shirt with a dark tie and a dark jacket with a poppy badge on the upper left lapel.PA Media
Stephen Flynn backed down from intending to sit in the Scottish and UK parliaments

MSPs will be barred from sitting as MPs or members of the House of Lords after the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of plans to outlaw so-called dual mandates.

All parties unanimously supported banning members from holding both roles at the same time as part of an amendment to electoral reform legislation.

It comes after the SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, announced his intention to sit in both parliaments ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, although he later backed down.

The Scottish government is expected to bring forward a public consultation on the proposals early next year.

It may also include a consideration on whether councillors should be prevented from sitting as MSPs, though there would be no requirement for those rules to be brought in immediately.

The regulations, brought forward as part of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill, could come in to force as early as next Autumn in time for the 2026 vote, though may include a grace period or other exemptions.

The ban on dual mandates was proposed in an amendment under the name of Conservative MSP Graham Simpson, though it was drafted with the Scottish government's help and backed by Green MSP Ross Greer.

Flynn announced in November that he intended to stand in the Scottish Parliament elections but retain his role as MP for Aberdeen South in the House of Commons.

He said he would not accept salaries from both positions but later reversed his decision, stating he had "got it wrong".

Flynn will instead decide whether or not to stand for Holyrood in the New Year, once the SNP has decided its own party rules.

The SNP, including Flynn, previously criticised former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross for holding a dual mandate as well as his position as an SFA-registered linesman.

Dozens of MSPs have held dual mandates in the past, including First Minister John Swinney and the late Alex Salmond.

The only current MSP sitting in another parliament is Labour's Katy Clark, who is a life peer in the House of Lords.

However, she has taken a leave of absence from that role in order to concentrate on her Holyrood position.

Ahead of the vote, she told BBC Scotland News she was "comfortable" with proposals to ban dual mandates and would support the amendments.