MSPs to vote on ending dual mandates at Holyrood next week

Holyrood is expected to vote next week to prevent MSPs from also sitting as MPs, ending the practice known as “double jobbing”.

The Scottish Government has been working with Tory MSP Graham Simpson on amendments to election legislation – which, if passed, would ban MPs and peers in the House of Lords also sitting as MSPs.

A third amendment could also ban councillors from simultaneously serving as MSPs, though this would only happen after a public consultation.

It comes after the outcry when SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn announced his intention to stand for Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

He had initially planned to remain as an MP, but criticism forced him to admit he “got it wrong”.

A number of MSPs have previously served in both Holyrood and Westminster, including both former first minister Alex Salmond and former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

Mr Simpson however said that amendments being proposed to the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill next week would “give Parliament the opportunity to say whether the practice of dual mandates should be ended or not”.

The Tory MSP added: “I hope that a majority of MSPs will agree with me that our job is full-time and should not be done at the same time as sitting as an MP or peer.”

With Mr Simpson adding that it is “right that time is taken to get the details right”, the Scottish Government will carry out a consultation on the changes.

Most people think that this is the right thing to do and I hope that Parliament votes that way next week.

Regulations would then be introduced in time for the Holyrood elections in May 2026.

Mr Simpson said: “Most people think that this is the right thing to do and I hope that Parliament votes that way next week.”

Meanwhile, parliamentary business minister Jamie Hepburn said the Scottish Government “has been clear that it is supportive of ending the practice of dual mandates where MSPs are also able to be MPs or peers”.

Adding that MSPs had not “fully considered” the issue earlier in the legislative process, he said he had committed to holding a public consultation, to allow political parties, the local government body Cosla and the public to have their say.

Mr Hepburn added: “I have worked closely with Graham Simpson MSP ahead of the final stage of the Bill to ensure that amendments to the Bill, if passed by Parliament, will mean that regulations – informed by the consultation responses – can be introduced in 2025 to prohibit MSPs from also serving as MPs and peers ahead of the 2026 election

“I will publish the public consultation in January 2025 and introduce regulations in autumn 2025, which will then be subject to scrutiny and a vote by MSPs.”

Mr Hepburn said: “I hope that Parliament will support these amendments as a good solution to ensure the issue of dual mandates can be considered properly and regulations informed fully, whilst ensuring the changes can take place ahead of the 2026 election.”