By Richard Wood
A ban on MSPs also being able to serve as MPs has moved one step closer thanks to Conservative MSP Graham Simpson’s retabled amendment to the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill.
The amendment follows SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn announcing his intentions to stand for Holyrood in 2026 and hold a dual mandate until 2029.
Simpson initially tabled the amendment at stage 2, but didn’t push it after being offered a potential consultation on the matter in the future. He will now retable at stage 3 following the momentum building against “double jobbing” in recent weeks.
Holyrood Magazine reports that Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens would back the amendment. Liberal Democrats have said in the past they would support a dual mandates ban.
READ MORE: Stephen Flynn MSP-MP in 2026? A dual mandates ban is overdue
What’s wrong with dual mandates?
The roles of MP and MSP are full-time positions. Voters deserve full-time dedicated representatives. Not part-timers.
The case for a dual mandates ban is one of principles and practicalities. For effective representation to happen, not to mention travelling between three locations and handling casework directly relating to two layers of government, MPs and MSPs should focus on the day job of representating constituents in one clear capacity.
Dual mandates should be banned.
What next?
The BBC reports that a vote on the amendment could come before Christmas 2024. If all opposition MSPs unite on the matter, then a dual mandates ban could become a reality.
Parliamentary Business Minster Jamie Hepburn has said he supports a consultation on the issue but there’s a chance the legislation wouldn’t come into force until after 2026 if parliament went down that route.
READ MORE: Westminster’s Modernisation Committee should consider MSP-MP dual mandates ban
Analysis
This shouldn’t be a party political issue. Whether it’s the SNP’s Stephen Flynn, the Conservatives’ Douglas Ross or Labour and Lib Dem MPs and MSPs past, dual mandates fail to meet the standards required to deliver effective representation.
And yet there’s a clear party political slant to the way this is coming about – opposition parties coming together amid an SNP divided on this issue due to one of their own paving to double job despite past party opposition.
It’s also worth highlighting that this probably wouldn’t be happening had Douglas Ross retained his seat in Westminster, as well as his leadership of the party.
Perhaps this change in this way is inevitable with dual mandates not currently being widespread across different parties and Scottish politics being so divided.
That said, a dual mandates ban will be welcome. MSPs should vote for this when the time comes.
READ MORE: 5 reasons to ban MSP-MP dual mandates
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