A SECOND SNP MP has announced plans to make a run for Holyrood in 2026 and not step down as a member of the House of Commons.
Stephen Gethins made the announcement after Stephen Flynn revealed the news on Tuesday. His colleague Dave Doogan also followed afterwards.
Gethins told The Courier that while there are no vacancies in Dundee he had submitted his vetting papers for consideration.
He said: “I always keep my vetting papers up to date and I have submitted them again this month.
“However, there are no vacancies locally and my priority remains representing constituents across Dundee and Angus to the best of my ability at Westminster and at home.”
READ MORE: SNP politicians call for Stephen Flynn to 'rethink' MSP bid
Gethins, who was previously a special adviser in the Scottish Government, represents the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat at Westminster. This is overlapped with the Dundee City East Holyrood constituency which is currently represented by Shona Robison.
It is speculated Robison could stand down come 2026.
Gethins added: “It is not a huge secret that SNP MPs do not see a long term future for themselves in the UK Parliament, an unnecessary layer of Government.
“So of course I would like to return to Holyrood at some point. It is the Scottish Government that is using its limited powers to deliver for people in Scotland and I hope that we will soon have the full range of normal powers that come with Independence.
“For now I will continue to challenge Labour over its failures on issues such as an expensive and damaging Brexit, the winter fuel allowance and their increasing policy convergence with the Conservative party.”
Following the announcement by Flynn, several voiced concerns over an MP having a dual mandate.
The moves by Flynn and Gethins come despite a rule brought in by the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ahead of the 2021 Holyrood elections which said that any MP wishing to become an MSP would have to resign their Westminster seat first. That rule saw Neil Gray resign as an MP, and Joanna Cherry decide not to run for Holyrood.
However, it is understood that the rule was “election specific” and would have to be reinstated to take effect in 2026.
Responding to Flynn’s announcement, former SNP ministers called for a rethink.
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