Opposition MSPs back move to ban ‘double jobbing’ at Holyrood

Flynn and SNP colleagues previously criticised former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross for holding two seats at once.

The SNP Westminster leader said the reaction had not been “pleasant”, but that he would not be “hounded out” from standing up for his beliefs.

Under Simpson’s proposals, an MP who is elected to Holyrood would have to stand down from Westminster within eight days.

Writing in the Daily Record, external, he said holding a so-called dual mandate was wrong and that Flynn’s announcement helped him make up his mind on the issue.

“The Scottish Parliament should be given the opportunity to end this nonsense ahead of 2026 and I will give it that chance,” Simpson wrote.

“I will re-table my amendments on this so that parties can do the right thing and show that MSPs think the practice of double jobbing is no longer acceptable.”

The Central Scotland MSP withdrew a previous amendment to ban the practice after Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said, external he supported considering a ban on dual mandates, but that he wanted to launch a consultation on the issue.

Hepburn said a ban, which could also apply to councillors and peers in the House of Lords, would not be in place by the 2026 election if a consultation takes place.

Simpson, who wants a ban in place before then, highlighted that dual mandates had already been banned in Wales and Northern Ireland.

It would be up to the Presiding Officer to decide whether the amendment is selected for debate and a vote at stage three of the bill’s journey through parliament.