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Holyrood opinion poll

With the publication of the interim Calman Report, do you think –
 
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SNP embraces dual-role politicians it once criticised Print E-mail
Wednesday, 09 May 2007

Out of the Scottish National Party’s 20 new MSPs, one quarter have also been elected as councillors and are considering doing both jobs, despite the party criticising a Lib Dem for doing the same just last year.

In March 2006, SNP MSP Alex Neil attacked Liberal Democrat MSP Andrew Arbuckle, famous for claiming that being an MSP should only be a part-time job, for continuing as a councillor when he was elected as an MSP.

“I don't see how you can be an MSP and a councillor if you are doing both jobs properly,” Neil said at the time.

However, now five of his fellow party MSPs are in a position where they are considering carrying out both roles.

One MSP, Stefan Tymkewycz, has been elected list MSP for Lothians and councillor for Craigentinny and Duddingston in Edinburgh. There are serious questions over whether he would be able to perform both duties – Edinburgh City Council holds its full council meetings on Thursdays, the same day as parliamentary debates and often critical votes in the chamber at Holyrood, and this is expected to continue despite a change of council administration.

Another, Bill Kidd, has been elected MSP for Glasgow, and councillor for Drumchapel in Glasgow. He told the Herald that occupying two seats would not pose a problem. However Glasgow City Council also traditionally holds its full council meetings on a Thursday.

The other MSPs who have also been elected as councillors are Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock & Loudoun and councillor for Kilmarnock North in East Ayrshire; Nigel Don, list MSP for North East, and councillor for Lochee in Dundee; and John Wilson, list MSP for Central Scotland, and councillor for Coatbridge North and Glenboig in North Lanarkshire.

North Lanarkshire’s next full council meeting is scheduled on a Thursday. Dundee Council has in the past tended to have full council meetings on a Monday evening, which would not generally clash with any Holyrood business, although this could change with the new council administration.

If some of those MSPs who have also been elected as councillors decide to stand down, there will have to be local by-elections to replace them.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 May 2007 )
 
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