Former SNP MPs Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins have officially resigned from “crisis-ridden Westminster” triggering by-elections in Scotland.
Mr Flynn and Mr Gethins requested their resignations from the House of Commons on Thursday to begin the process for the writ to be moved for the by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry.
Stephen Flynn has served as an SNP MP for Aberdeen South since 2019 and was the party’s Westminster leader before standing down to allow Dave Doogan to take his place.
Mr Flynn was elected to Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine in the Holyrood election.
He said in his resignation statement that the “chaos has been constant” in Westminster.
He said: “Being in Westminster for six and a half years was an honour, but I’m so proud to have now been given the chance to serve back home in Scotland’s national parliament.
“When I entered Westminster it was during the chaos of Brexit and, as I depart, it is now consumed by the chaos of Starmer – the people and parties of power have changed, but the chaos has been constant.
“In contrast to the chaos of Westminster, John Swinney and the SNP have shown serious leadership for Scotland and we were rewarded for that at the ballot box just last week.
“But my work is only getting started and it is important that I reiterate my commitment to fight the corner of our oil and gas workers in Holyrood – we must protect their world class jobs and create new world class renewables jobs at their side.
“Our city has been rocked by the Labour Party’s attacks on industry and the cliff edge they have created for workers and, just as we oppose Labour’s cliff edge so, too, must we reject a Reform Party who oppose billions of pounds in carbon storage and offshore wind investment.”
Stephen Gethins has served as a SNP MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry since the 2024 general election, was elected as an MSP for Dundee City East last week.
Mr Gethins said the conduct of calling for the by-elections in a “timely fashion” stands in stark contrast to “crisis-ridden Westminster”.
He said: “We have acted in an orderly and timely fashion to allow these by-elections to take place as quickly as possible – that was the right and proper thing to do and stands in stark contrast to the crisis-ridden Westminster.
“It has been an honour to serve Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and I very much look forward to representing the people of Dundee City East in Holyrood.
“The experienced and strong leadership of John Swinney is a million miles away from the chaos we see again and again in broken, Brexit Britain – Holyrood is where Scotland’s future should be decided and I cannot wait to play whatever role I can in securing a better future for the people of Scotland.
“It is time to serve in a Parliament that delivers for the people of Scotland and back a First Minister and Government that puts the people of Scotland first.”
