An SNP minister has been called out for providing incorrect information by stating that the party had imposed a ban on sitting MPs from running for Holyrood. Jamie Hepburn stated in the Scottish Parliament that the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had decided that individuals seeking election to Holyrood would be prohibited from doing so while still being a member of the House of Commons. He claimed that this stance was consistent with the party’s position during the 2021 election. However, the NEC motion approved on Saturday did not explicitly mention that sitting MPs must resign to stand for the Scottish Parliament while retaining their Westminster seat.
Labour MP Graeme Downie criticised Hepburn for his misunderstanding of the party’s rulebook, connecting it to the mismanagement of finances and public services in Scotland over the past 17 years by the SNP. Had Hepburn’s statement been accurate, it would have meant that SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and other MPs would need to relinquish their seats before pursuing candidacy as MSPs, as Health Secretary Neil Gray did in 2021. The SNP is yet to determine whether an MP running for Holyrood would need to step down from Westminster before or after the election.
During his address in the Holyrood chamber, Hepburn stated, “On Saturday just past, the executive committee of my party took a decision to put in place as part of its selection rules, a prohibition on anyone seeking to hold elected office to this place to be able to do so whilst simultaneously remaining elected to the House of Commons.” However, the motion passed by the SNP NEC emphasised that no SNP Parliamentarian should serve in two Parliaments concurrently, while also highlighting the importance of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill in addressing dual mandates.
The SNP has been approached for further comment on this matter. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate the issue of dual mandates and the candidacy of MPs for Holyrood in the upcoming election.
In summary, an SNP minister’s claim that sitting MPs were banned from running for Holyrood was found to be inaccurate. The confusion surrounding the party’s stance on dual mandates and candidacy for the Scottish Parliament highlights the complexity of political dynamics within the SNP. This situation underscores the importance of clarity and transparency in party policies and decision-making processes to uphold integrity and accountability in political leadership.