After a shocking drop in SNP membership, and a fall from grace in the House of Commons, some SNP MPs are making bids to make their home in Holyrood, and plan on running to be local MSPs in 2026. Before the 2021 election, the party changed its internal rules to require MPs to step down from their positions before they could run as MSPs at Holyrood, and has previously criticised Douglas Ross for holding seats in both Parliaments. So who’s running, and who’s sticking to this?
Stephen Flynn:
Stephen Flynn is currently the head of the SNP in Westminster, often shouting down the opposition and advocating for Scottish independence in the House of Commons. But his party’s standing has fallen significantly, dropping from 48 seats to only 9. The Aberdeen South MP has been leader of the party in Westminster since 2022, and was elected in 2019, his maiden speech including: “Scotland rejects your austerity. Scotland rejects your Brexit. Just as Scotland rejected your prime minister.”
Flynn plans to stand in the 2026 Scottish election, but if he wins a seat, he will keep his position as the MP for Aberdeen South until 2029, the next UK general election. He has specified that he would not take two salaries, so will either receive £72,196 per year as an MSP, or £91,346 as an MP. This contradicts the rules set by the party three years ago.
Mhairi Black:
Despite the announcement on X, telling the public to “watch this space”, Mhairi Black is not standing for the Holyrood 2026 election. She replied to the tweet simply stating: “I’m not” and a GIF of Limmy, a Scottish comedian.
Nicola Sturgeon:
After stepping down as First Minister and leader of the SNP in February 2023, Sturgeon was expected to step down from her seat in Glasgow Southside, one that she’s held since 2007. An SNP source says that “Nicola has not made a decision for the Holyrood 2026 elections yet”, but she has applied to the National Executive Committee (NEC) to allow her to run if she chooses to. Effectively, Sturgeon now has the option to stand, but still has the option to pull out of the race if she changes her mind
Humza Yousaf:
The former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has taken the same steps as Nicola Sturgeon, having applied to be a candidate on time, but I still considering his position. Similarly, this means that as it stands, he is able to re-run as MSP for Glasgow Pollock, but like Sturgeon, may step down from this by the time the Holyrood election comes around.
John Mason:
John Mason is stepping down from his position as MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, which he has held since 2011. Between his controversies, including his thoughts on gay sex and marriage, a tweet that had him accused of promoting rape culture, comparing child abuse to tax abuse, and his views on abortion, the MSP has seen many an uncomfortable conversation, with his membership on the party ending in October of this year. After his comments on Gaza in August, he was expelled from the SNP, and now plans to step down from politics and not re-run for his seat.
The Holyrood elections take place no later than May 7, 2026. There are currently 129 MSPs, 62 for the SNP, 31 for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, 22 for Scottish Labour, 7 for the Scottish Greens, 4 for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, 1 for the Alba Party, and 1 independent.
Featured Image Credit: Jess Urquhart