HOLYROOD is set to vote on banning “double jobbing” in the wake of Stephen Flynn’s bid to stand as both an MSP and MP.
On Sunday, the SNP’s Westminster leader addressed the “anger” at his plans, saying there’s “always going to be a strong reaction to someone seeking to do things slightly differently”.
The MP confirmed last week he would be campaigning to stand for the Aberdeen South and Kincardine seat and denied reports he had pushed current MSP Audrey Nicoll to stand aside.
The Daily Record now reports that Tory MSP Graham Simpson is to resubmit an amendment to scrap “dual mandates” which could impact Flynn’s bid to hold the two jobs.
The Greens have also said they would support the amendment, with Gillian Mackay saying "this isn't about individuals".
The vote could potentially take place before Christmas.
Scottish Labour have also revealed they will vote for a ban.
Labour MSP Martin Whitfield said: “The public deserve real representation in each of their parliaments and Scottish Labour will back plans to end double-jobbing. Being an MP or an MSP is a full-time job and it is the height of arrogance to try and do both."
Simpson, an MSP for the Central Scotland region, had previously tried to amend a Holyrood bill this month which would have clamped down on “double jobbing”.
However, he withdrew the plan after SNP ministers hinted at a potential ban.
Speaking to the Record, Simpson said: “Stephen Flynn has helped me make up my mind on this.
“Being an MSP is a full time job and anyone lucky enough to have the honour of being elected to the Scottish Parliament should be doing so on that basis.
“It is wrong that anyone should be able to sit as an MSP and MP at the same time.”
Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross (below) previously held roles in both Holyrood and Westminster, but lost his House of Commons seat in the 2024 General Election.
Simpson added: “So-called dual mandate has been banned in Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland is an outlier in this and we should end that.
“Given the outcry over what Stephen Flynn plans to do, I will be re-tabling my amendments to the elections bill which will ban double jobbing.
“All parties must do the right thing and back this.”
Greens MSP Mackay said: "Being an MP or an MSP is a privilege. They are full-time jobs, and all of our constituents deserve full-time representation.
"The Scottish Greens support ending dual mandates between Holyrood and Westminster. This isn't about individuals, it is about recognising the importance of our parliament and the work it does.
"This has gone on for too long. Other devolved parliaments have rules in place to stop it, and Holyrood should too."
Under the proposal, MPs elected to Holyrood would be required to stand down from Westminster within eight days.
Asked by the BBC why he wasn’t planning on stepping down from Westminster, Flynn (below) said: “I’m looking to save the public a significant amount of money, the public in Aberdeen, by not having a by-election.
“I think that would be welcomed by them in these tough financial times. I’m looking to save the party a significant amount of money as well.”
In a post on Twitter/X on Sunday, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Wee message to everyone who is briefing against folk today either on social media or to journos who are not friends to our party or our cause – stick your papers in if you want to and then get yer walking boots on and help out at a by-election.”
