Scottish MSPs Vote on Dual Mandates Ban

Scottish Labour and the Greens are supporting a ban on double jobbing, which could prevent Stephen Flynn from serving as both an MP and an MSP. Flynn's recent announcement to run for the Holyrood seat of Aberdeen South while retaining his Westminster position has sparked significant backlash, particularly from his own party. Tory MSP Graham Simpson plans to re-submit an amendment that would require any MP elected to the Scottish Parliament to resign from Westminster within eight days. This amendment could be voted on as soon as Christmas, reflecting a growing consensus against dual mandates in Scotland, which are already banned in Wales and Northern Ireland. Flynn's dual mandate aspirations have been criticized as disrespectful to constituents, with many arguing that each role requires full-time commitment. Simpson emphasized that all parties should unite to end what he termed an 'outdated' practice of double jobbing.