MSPs to vote on ending 'double jobbing' at Holyrood and Westminster

'Double jobbing' by MSPs could be outlawed in time for the next election if the Scottish Parliament backs a bill on the matter next week.

Dual mandates allowing MSPs to simultaneously sit as MPs or peers will be banned under legislation currently going through Holyrood.

Members are to vote on stage three of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill next week.

The Scottish Government has been working with Conservative MSP Graham Simpson on amendments to the legislation.

Parliamentary business minister Jamie Hepburn has said the SNP administration is "clear that it is supportive of ending the practice".

However, he said parliament had "not fully considered the issue", including ending dual mandates for councillors, during stage one of the legislative process. 

A consultation will now be held to allow political parties, councils body Cosla and members of the public to have their say.

Hepburn said the move presents a "good solution" which will provide for appropriate scrutiny.

He said: "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.

"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."

While double jobbing was common to the Scottish Parliament in the past, with several of the first MSPs in 1999 also holding Commons roles, the practice has dwindled over the years.

Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is the last MSP to have simultaneously held a Westminster constituency.

Labour's Katy Clark was already a peer when she was elected to Holyrood, but she officially stepped back from the Lords to focus on work as an MSP.

Meanwhile, Tory Donald Cameron left the Scottish Parliament after being given a peerage. 

A recent attempt by the SNP's Stephen Flynn to seek election as an MSP in 2026, while still serving as an MP, caused outcry in the party.

Commenting ahead of the vote, Central Scotland MSP Simpson said: "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."