Opposition MPs are calling for a ban on dual mandates after SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn launched a bid to hold seats at Holyrood and Westminster.

Conservative MP Graham Simpson will again introduce an amendment to the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill aimed at banning so-called duplication in time for the 2026 election.

A vote could take place before Christmas, with the support of Labor and the Greens.

The SNP minority government previously said it supported the idea of ​​a ban, but that consultation would need to take place.

Flynn faced criticism, including within his partyafter announcing his intention to stand for the SNP in the seats of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine in the 2026 Holyrood elections.

He said he also intended to stay at Westminster until the next general election, currently due in 2029.

Flynn and his SNP colleagues had previously criticized former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross for holding two seats at once.

THE The SNP leader at Westminster said the reaction had not been “pleasant,” but he would not be “hounded” for standing up for his beliefs.

Under Simpson’s proposals, an MP elected to Holyrood would have to stand down from Westminster within eight days.

Write in the Daily check-inhe said that holding a so-called dual mandate was a mistake and that Flynn’s announcement helped him make a decision on the issue.

“The Scottish Parliament should be given the chance to end this nonsense before 2026 and I will give it that chance,” Simpson wrote.

“I am going to re-table my amendments on this subject so that the parties can make the right choice and show that MPs think that the practice of duplication is no longer acceptable.”

The Mid-Scotland MSP withdrew a previous amendment to ban the practice after Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said he is in favor of the idea of ​​prohibiting double mandates, but wishes to launch a consultation on the question.

Hepburn said a ban, which could also apply to advisers and peers in the House of Lords, would not be in force by the 2026 election if a consultation took place.

Simpson, who wants a ban in place before then, pointed out that double mandates had already been banned in Wales and Northern Ireland.

The SNP group has 62 MPs, less than the 65 required to obtain a majority.

Scottish Labor has said it will support a ban on “double working”.

The party’s commercial director, Martin Whitfield, said: “Being an MP or MP is a full-time job and it is the height of arrogance to try to do both.

“Whether it’s Douglas Ross or Stephen Flynn, Conservative and SNP politicians have taken their voters for granted for too long.”

Green MP Gillian Mackay also backed Simpson’s proposal.

“This has gone on for too long. Other devolved parliaments have put in place rules to stop this, and Holyrood should do so too,” she said.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told the Herald he is not opposed to dual mandates within his party if each politician can “make them work”.

It is understood the LibDems want to examine Simpson’s amendment in detail before making a decision on how to vote.

The amendment would be voted on as part of the third stage of the examination of the electoral bill.

Dozens of MPs have held dual mandates, either as members of the House of Lords, the House of Commons or as an advisor – including 20 this quarter.