Independence activists split over SNP MPs applying for Holyrood

The internal debate over dual mandates has raged across elections and has now reared it's head again after SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn revealed he had applied to run for Holyrood in 2026. Flynn said that if he won, he would not resign his Westminster seat.

Stephen Gethins and Dave Doogan have also joined their colleague in hoping to make the move north of the Border.

Approaching activists, multiple people said they weren't sure what their own stance was on dual mandates. 

READ MORE: Why Stephen Flynn should change his mind on being an MSP AND MP

A rule brought in by the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ahead of the 2021 Holyrood elections 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.

So are activists keen to see the rule reintroduced?

'No parliamentarian should double job'

One activist told me that the party cannot change the rules depending on who is rumoured to stand and their internal influence.

Barry Jarvis from Elgin said that although Flynn is "a fantastic parliamentarian who continues to make very effective contributions", no politician should "double job".

Jarvis added: "We have a wealth of great talent and fantastic people in the party that could make a fantastic impact in these roles. It's the sort of thing we quite rightly criticise other parties for as it shows contempt for the electorate and diminishes both roles which should be spent full time representing constituents."

READ MORE: Will SNP rules let Stephen Flynn be MP and MSP at the same time?

Another SNP member told The National that to not reimplement the rule for Flynn "or for anyone else would make the party look bad".

"It would imply the party has one rule for one MP and one rule for another," they said.

They added: "I simply don’t believe you can be as good at either job if you’re trying to balance two parliaments. I think constituents deserve to have a dedicated MP/MSP who can dedicate their time to just their own constituency".

Dave Doogan MP (left) has also submitted his vetting papers  (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

However, one activist in the north east believe "the best talent" should be in Holyrood, and if that means the "same voices" in both parliaments then that is what the party "needs to do".

Another echoed this, adding: "Too many talented people have been stuck down in London over the past nine years – it's time to move the focus back to Edinburgh and get our best people there.

"English MPs are somehow capable of representing their constituents in terms of all the issues which are devolved or reserved – are we saying Scottish politicians are somehow uniquely incapable of doing the same?".

Dual mandates in the Scottish Parliament

The move by the SNP MPs also affect the independence movement at large. With previous heavy backlash towards Douglas Ross for his multiple jobs, independence supporters – including Flynn – have long held the belief that an MSP should only have one job.

Holyrood is the only devolved legislature in the UK that still allows members to hold dual mandate as an MP. Both Wales' Senedd and Ireland's Stormont have banned the practice.

An SNP activist claimed the public "aren't bothered" about the dual mandate debate as it is an internal party issue, however a former Greens staffer said it reflected on the Scottish Parliament as a whole.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes backs Stephen Flynn as he bids to join Scottish Parliament

Guy Ingerson argued that politicians should not be allowed to hold a dual mandate and the Scottish Parliament had to update it's procedures.

"This is already the case for the Welsh Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. It needs to be the case for our Parliament as well. It isn’t fair to constituents – and for a party that made a big deal about this for other politicians and parties, it reeks of hypocrisy," Ingerson said.

"When public trust in politicians is at an all-time low, we need people in politics who stick to their principles. We need leaders focused on the communities they serve instead of their personal ambitions."

The Westminster to First Minister 'stepping stone'

Others don't want Flynn to walk in the footsteps of several SNP parliamentarians, including Alex Salmond and John Swinney, in holding dual mandates and using these for a political advantage.

Salmond held seats at both Westminster and Holyrood from 1999 until 2001 and then from 2007 until 2010. Swinney held seats between 1999 and 2001.

One SNP staffer in Holyrood gave a scathing perspective on Flynn's standing in Westminster after the General Election saw dozens of SNP central staff lose their jobs.

Flynn reportedly retained and rehired those closest to him to co-ordinate and advance his leadership prospects in the party.

The staffer said: “His macho, cocky, boys-club politics won’t wash at Holyrood. We all want to be shot of Westminster but it can’t be seen as just a stepping stone on the road to first minister.”

However, another SNP source in Westminster said: "Just because you have put your name forward as a candidate does not mean you have become the candidate and does not mean you will be elected either, so making comparisons to Douglas Ross is completely spurious."