Stephen Flynn aims to stand for SNP at Holyrood election

SNP Westminster chief Stephen Flynn intends to face on the 2026 Holyrood elections, he has introduced.

Flynn was re-elected because the MP for Aberdeen South in July’s common election.

He mentioned if elected to the Scottish Parliament he would goal to carry his Westminster seat till the following common election, due in 2029, however wouldn’t settle for two salaries.

Purposes to face as an SNP candidate in 2026 closed on Monday, although the formal choice course of is not going to begin till subsequent 12 months.

BBC Scotland Information understands that former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have submitted purposes, however are each but to resolve on whether or not to face for re-election.

Flynn, writing within the Press and Journal, mentioned he hoped to win his occasion’s nomination for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat, at present held by Audrey Nicoll.

The SNP Westminster chief added: “I don’t wish to sit out the upcoming battles that our metropolis, shire and nation face in Holyrood.

He additionally mentioned he hoped to assist the SNP construct the case for independence.

Flynn instructed the Press and Journal it might not “fill him with any nice delight” to go up towards Nicoll for choice in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine.

Nicoll, who was first elected to parliament on the 2021 election, mentioned: “As a constituency MSP, my focus will stay to work tirelessly for constituents no matter any inner occasion choice processes.

“I stay up for any contest, the place after all it will likely be for department members to pick out these they want to signify them in Holyrood within the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.”

Forward of the 2021 Holyrood elections, the SNP modified inner guidelines to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to combat for choice to Holyrood.

This led to then-MP Joanna Cherry pulling out of the selection contest for the Edinburgh Central seat, claiming the rule change “hobbled” her in her choice bid.

Well being Secretary Neil Grey additionally had to resign as an MP earlier than being elected to Holyrood in 2021.

Flynn mentioned he believed occasion guidelines have been “election-specific”.

In his column, he pointed to examples of SNP politicians who’ve held seats in each parliaments earlier than, citing First Minister John Swinney and ex-First Minister Alex Salmond.

The occasion is but to resolve what its guidelines can be for candidates on the subsequent election.

Cherry – who misplaced her Westminster seat in July’s common election and has dominated out a bid for election to Holyrood in 2026 – mentioned the SNP rule towards twin mandates was “individual particular”.

Responding to Flynn’s column, she added in a post on X that the rule “served its goal” and predicted it might not be in place for 2026.

Flynn has been tipped as a future SNP chief, however he predicted there wouldn’t be a contest to switch Swinney for “very a few years”, including that he had full confidence within the first minister.

He instructed the Press and Journal: “In fact I wish to do all the things I probably can to assist my occasion and assist my nation and that can by no means change.”

Flynn’s resolution has been questioned from some throughout the occasion.

One former SNP MP instructed BBC Scotland Information: “I am undecided being seen to do Audrey Nicoll out of her job in order that he can have two jobs is a great pitch.”

One other senior occasion determine known as it “bare ambition”.

The SNP previously criticised former Scottish Conservative chief Douglas Ross for holding seats at Westminster and Holyrood, in addition to being knowledgeable soccer referee, branding him “three jobs”.

In 2021, SNP MSP Karen Adam warned Ross that being both an MSP or an MP was “very a lot a full-time job”.

She claimed he was “failing” his constituents “by considering he can do each jobs correctly”.

Few who comply with Scottish politics can be shocked by Stephen Flynn’s resolution.

He’s extensively considered one of many SNP’s most proficient politicians. And Holyrood gives alternatives for him that Westminster by no means will (equivalent to being a authorities minister or – at some point maybe – first minister).

However this can be a controversial transfer in quite a few methods.

Although different SNP politicians have sat beforehand at Westminster and Holyrood concurrently, occasion rhetoric on “double jobbing” has hardened lately.

The occasion beforehand claimed former Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross was making an attempt to “have his cake and eat it” by sitting in each parliaments.

Flynn will now face the identical accusation.

Secondly, there’s already a sitting SNP MSP within the seat the place Stephen Flynn goals to be a candidate. And he or she has not indicated that she plans to face down. So it appears like an inner problem is on.

To sum it up, that is an anticipated transfer with some sudden components.

Former SNP MP Richard Thomson, who misplaced his seat in Gordon in July, has additionally confirmed he’s searching for election to Holyrood in 2026.

He has not specified a constituency, although he posted on X that there was “essential work to be completed for the north east and Scotland as an entire”.

Whereas being chosen to face in a constituency is one potential path to the Scottish Parliament, candidates may win a seat through regional lists underneath the Holyrood voting system.