The SNP's Westminster leader has announced he is to contest a seat at Holyrood – and will ‘double-job’ as an MP and MSP if he wins. 

Stephen Flynn is campaigning to stand for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine at the 2026 Holyrood election, submitting his application to the party HQ before Monday’s noon deadline. 

Mr Flynn, who has been touted as a future leader of the party, will go before his party’s selection committee for the right to contest the seat. 

This will put him in contention with sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll for selection to the constituency. 

Speaking to his local Press and Journal newspaper, Mr Flynn said that it “didn’t fill him with any great delight” to go up against his SNP colleague. 

He said: “Different people are chosen to represent the team at different moments in time and it will be for SNP members to determine who is ultimately their candidate in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine”, he added. 

“I don’t want to sit it out” 

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of CommonsSNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire) On the decision to run, he said: “It’s never an easy decision to put yourself forward for election. You have to discuss things with friends and family. 

“I took some time to properly think things over because there was a high degree of interest in what I was going to do or not do next. 

“I came to the conclusion I don’t want to sit it out. I don’t want to sit out those battles that are coming for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the wider nation.” 

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In 2020, the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) rewrote its rules to make it harder for sitting MPs to switch to Holyrood, forcing them to resign their seats to become candidates.

The decision forced former SNP MP Joanna Cherry to rule herself out from standing in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

But the party is yet to decide the rules for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. This will be a matter for the party’s National Executive Committee.

Audrey Nicholl currently holds the seat for the SNPAudrey Nicholl currently holds the seat for the SNP (Image: Ken Jack) Mr Flynn said he believes the rules are “election specific” as he defended the prospect of holding two roles, saying he would not take a second parliamentary income.

Asked by the P&J if he has an ambition to lead the party in the future, he added: “I don’t think the SNP is going to have a leadership contest for very many years.

“I’m fully confident in the manner in which John Swinney is rebuilding the party and refocusing government.

“I appreciate the desire that many people have to speculate in and around what my ambitions are or aren’t.

“Of course I want to do everything I possibly can to help my party and help my country and that will never change.”

Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry was prevented from holding both and MP and MSP seat Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry was prevented from holding both and MP and MSP seat (Image: PA) Geoff Aberdein, former chief of staff to Alex Salmond, discussed Mr Flynn’s bid for Holyrood on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s a good move for Aberdeen South and should he get the nomination it’s a good move for Scotland as well.”

Mr Aberdein said he hoped the area’s current SNP MSP, Audrey Nicoll, was “very respected” and he hoped she could perhaps stay as a list MSP. She has not yet declared if she will seek to run again in 2026.

Mr Aberdein said Mr Flynn believes Mr Swinney is doing a “good job” but the Westminster leader is ambitious and will “seek higher office at a later date”.