SNP Westminster leader aims to become MSP at next Holyrood election

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has announced he intends to stand at the 2026 Holyrood election - but has brushed off speculation it's a move to take over from John Swinney.

Mr Flynn, 36, was re-elected as the MP for Aberdeen South in July's general election and has now submitted an application to seek his party's nomination for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat to become an MSP.

If successful, Mr Flynn said he would remain an MP until the next Westminster election but would not draw two salaries.

Writing in the Press and Journal newspaper, Mr Flynn said he was throwing his "bonnet in the ring".

He added: "I don't want to sit out the upcoming battles that our city, shire and country face in Holyrood.

"From funding the energy transition to funding childcare, from free higher education to higher household bills, from GP appointments to GDP growth, the debates will be many and varied.

"In my mind, it is clear that we are at a crucial junction in our nation's story."

He also said he hoped to help his party "build the case for independence".

Mr Flynn has often been touted as a potential future party leader.

He did not run in this year's SNP leadership race to replace Humza Yousaf and instead threw his backing behind eventual winner Mr Swinney.

As Mr Flynn is not an MSP, it would have been difficult to become first minister at Holyrood.

However, the potential move to the Scottish parliament would put him on the right track towards Scotland's top job.

When asked by the Press and Journal about his leadership hopes, Mr Flynn said: "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."

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

The deadline for applications to be considered for selection as an SNP candidate for the next Scottish parliament election closed on Monday, but the formal selection process will not begin until next year.

Mr Flynn said it "didn't fill him with any great delight" to go up against sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll for selection to the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency.

When contacted by Sky News, Ms Nicoll said: "As a constituency MSP, my focus will remain to work tirelessly for constituents regardless of any internal party selection processes.

"I look forward to any contest, where of course it will be for branch members to select those they wish to represent them in Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish parliament elections."

Read more from Sky News:
What if Sunak had waited until now to call an election?
Scottish Tories demand statement over minister's chauffeured car rides to football matches

Ahead of the 2021 Scottish election, the SNP changed internal rules to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to fight for selection to Holyrood.

This led to then MP Joanna Cherry to pull out of the selection contest for the Edinburgh Central seat, and at the time she said the rule change "hobbled" her in her Holyrood selection bid.

Mr Flynn said he believed party rules were "election-specific".

Ms Cherry, who lost her Westminster seat in July, wished Mr Flynn well but said the SNP rule against dual mandates was "person specific".

Posting on X, she added: "It served its purpose and I predict it will be removed."

In his column, Mr Flynn said he would have to "box smarter and work even harder" as he pointed to examples of SNP politicians who have held seats in both parliaments before, citing Mr Swinney and the late former first minister Alex Salmond.

He added: "I'm positive about the prospect of walking the path they previously trod."