Stephen Flynn booked as star guest at SNP awards bash as double jobbing row grips party

Stephen Flynn Scheduled as Guest of Honour at SNP Awards Ceremony Amidst Controversy Over Holding Dual Positions

Stephen Flynn is set to take the spotlight as the keynote speaker at an extravagant awards ceremony for SNP members this week, despite sparking a significant debate over double jobbing. As the Nationalist leader in Westminster, Flynn has stirred discontent among colleagues at Holyrood by expressing his plans to run as an MSP in the 2026 election while continuing his role as an MP. His decision to contest for the nomination in Aberdeen South, a constituency already represented by SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll, has led to a flurry of heated exchanges between Nationalists in Westminster and Holyrood, with Flynn’s allies arguing for a shift towards a more skilled political class in the Scottish Parliament.

All attention will be on Flynn as he addresses a room full of SNP members at the party’s annual St Andrew’s awards dinner in Glasgow, where tickets are priced at £90 per person. This event is hailed as the “highlight of the party’s social calendar” and will also feature a speech by First Minister John Swinney. A Labour insider remarked to the Record that Flynn’s disparaging remarks about his colleagues and his pursuit of their positions raise questions about his conduct at the dinner, advising attendees not to linger at the bar too long lest they find Flynn in their place upon their return.

An advertisement for the dinner by the SNP describes it as an “ideal occasion to meet, socialise, and relish another splendid night immersed in the rich traditions of the Scottish National Party.” Flynn’s anticipated appearance follows a recent BBC interview in which he stated his ambition when asked if he aimed for John Swinney’s position, stressing that any leadership contest within the party would be in the distant future and refusing to rule out his aspirations to succeed the First Minister. Flynn assured that he would not draw two salaries if elected to Holyrood but emphasised his desire to partake in crucial discussions happening at both Westminster and Holyrood.

Despite the opposition among his peers to his challenge against Nicoll, Flynn dismissed claims that he had pressured Nicoll to step aside before publicly declaring his intentions, denouncing such assertions as falsehoods. He emphasised that he preferred not to address these matters on television and defend himself against what he called lies and fabrications. Flynn’s forthcoming address at the SNP awards ceremony underscores the ongoing tensions within the party over dual mandates and internal leadership dynamics.

In conclusion, Stephen Flynn’s upcoming appearance at the SNP awards dinner amidst the controversy surrounding his dual candidacy for Westminster and Holyrood sheds light on the complex dynamics and power struggles within the party leadership. The clash between ambitions for higher political positions and loyalty to existing roles underscores the challenges of navigating internal party dynamics and maintaining unity amidst differing aspirations and strategies for leadership succession. Flynn’s speech at the event will likely be closely scrutinised for any hints of his future political intentions and the broader implications for the SNP’s internal cohesion and direction.