Stephen Gethins becomes second SNP MP to eye move to Holyrood

A second SNP MP has confirmed he has put his name forward for the 2026 Holyrood election.

Stephen Gethins, the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, has said he would not stand down as an MP if elected as an MSP.

The news follows the announcement that SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is also seeking a seat at the Scottish Parliament and plans to continue as an MP too.

Flynn hopes to become the party’s candidate for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat, which is currently held by SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll.

Gethins has not said which seat he would prefer to run for and added that there were currently “no vacancies locally” in Dundee.

Joe Fitzpatrick and Shona Robison currently hold the two seats which cover Dundee. Neither has yet announced plans to either stand down or seek re-election.

The announcement by Flynn on Tuesday has created internal friction within the SNP, with a number of MSPs said to be unhappy that he would hold a dual mandate for both parliaments. Emma Roddick urged him to “rethink” the decision.

Wannabe candidates had to submit their papers to the party by midday on Monday in order to go through the standing vetting process. It does not commit them to candidacy.

Gethins told the Courier: “I always keep my vetting papers up to date and I have submitted them again this month.

“However, there are no vacancies locally and my priority remains representing constituents across Dundee and Angus to the best of my ability at Westminster and at home.”

He added he wanted to become an MSP because the SNP does not “see a long-term future for themselves in the UK Parliament”.

Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are understood to have submitted their papers to allow them to stand again, though neither have confirmed they definitely intend to do so.

Former SNP MP Richard Thomson – who lost his Westminster seat to the Conservatives’ Harriet Cross in July – has also confirmed his intention to stand.

Other parties’ internal selection contests are also underway.

Scottish Labour launched its call for candidates last month.

Former Tory MP David Duguid – who was barred from standing in July by the Scottish Conservatives’ ruling board and ultimately replaced by Douglas Ross on the ballot – has suggested he might stand.