Draft regulations to be laid in Parliament in autumn.
Views are being sought on the implementation of the ban on MSPs
from also serving as MPs or in the House of Lords.
Following the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill
being passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in December,
a consultation seeking views on the principles and practical
issues of ending dual mandates has launched.
The consultation, which runs until 23 March, looks at issues such
as grace periods once elected and salary or parliamentary
limitations during this period.
The Bill places a duty on Scottish Ministers to bring forward
regulations which prohibit MSPs from also serving in the House of
Commons or the House of Lords, and may additionally prohibit MSPs
from also serving as councillors.
The regulations will be laid in autumn 2025 so they are in place
for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, and will be subject to
scrutiny and a vote by MSPs.
Minister for Parliamentary Business said:
“Following the unanimous passage of the Scottish Elections
(Representation and Reform) Bill in December, MSPs will be barred
from also being an MP or Peer through regulations to be brought
forward in autumn 2025.
“This consultation on the issue will allow political parties,
local government and most importantly the public to comment on
the details of how that will work in practice, ahead of the
practice being ended before the 2026 Scottish Parliament
election."
Background
The consultation paper is available at Consultation on Dual
Mandates
Scottish Elections
(Representation and Reform) Bill | Scottish Parliament
Website
