Stephen Flynn has revealed he quit as Westminster leader weeks before the Holyrood election.
Speaking at Edinburgh Fringe event Political Party with Matt Forde, Mr Flynn was asked about his ambitions after he resigned as Westminster leader and became cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport, and if he had his “sights set on Bute House”.
Mr Flynn said his resignation from Westminster was made before he knew he would be elected as an MSP.
Resignation before election
He said: “On the leadership perspective I’ll give you a wee insight on this matter, which would probably surprise some of the people in the audience and even beyond.
“Prior to the election I’d already resigned as the Westminster group leader. I did it three, four, maybe five weeks before the election.”
Mr Flynn said that an internal transition took place behind the scenes with new Westminster leader Dave Doogan which became public after the election.
Reasons for stepping down
He said he decided he wanted to step down after the 2024 election which saw the SNP win nine seats, a loss of 38 seats on its 2019 result, reducing it to the second largest party in Scotland.
He said: “I think my initial instinct was just to run away and just be like, I’m not leader anymore.
“But I had a responsibility to dozens of people who we employed, who I needed to look after and make sure that they were able to go and find new work.
“I had responsibility to my colleagues who were in a bit of shock about the situation as it stood and I had a responsibility to the party to try and make sure that things continued in a positive light, knowing that we had the Holyrood election coming up.”
Motivations and future ambitions
Mr Flynn said he also felt like he had not been “a good dad” due to his job in Westminster.
He said: “What motivates me is independence, and what motivates me second to that, actually more on par of that or in front of that is being a good dad, and I’ve not been a good dad.
“Well, you can’t be… because I spent six and a half years of my son’s life, he was born three days after the election, not seeing him.”
He continued: “When I say I’ve never been more content, I say it meaningfully because I have much more time with my kids and with my wife and they deserve that, and you know I selfishly kind of deserve it too.”
When Mr Flynn was asked if he would consider being first minister now he is based in Holyrood, he responded: “Whilst my kids are young, absolutely not.”
