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Peter Davidson

Who is Stephen Flynn? The new SNP Westminster leader set to take on Rishi Sunak at PMQs

Stephen Flynn is set to face Rishi Sunak in his first Prime Minister's Questions since being elected the SNP's new Westminster leader.

The Aberdeen South MP was elected on Tuesday, December 6, following a vote by members of the nationalist group after the resignation of Ian Blackford.

Flynn's deputy will be Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black, who takes over from Kirsten Oswald after she decided to step down over the weekend.

Following the result at the SNP AGM in London First Minster Nicola Sturgeon congratulated the pair and described them as a "formidable team".

Just two weeks ago Flynn denied rumours he would be standing for the leadership position, following speculation in news articles he was "mounting a coup" against Blackford.

Flynn's win has been seen as a defeat for Sturgeon as Alison Thewliss was seen as the continuity candidate in the two-horse race to replace the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

Taking to Twitter following the result, Sturgeon said: "Congratulations to new @theSNP Westminster leader @StephenFlynnSNP and deputy leader @MhairiBlack - a truly formidable team. Looking forward to working with them both."

Here's all you need to know about Stephen Flynn:

What did Flynn say after winning?

Following his victory in the contest Flynn paid tribute to Blackford who is said would be a "welcome sources of advice".

He added: "It's an honour to be elected to lead the SNP's strong and talented team of MPs during such a crucial period for Scotland.

"Under my leadership, SNP MPs will be relentlessly focused on standing up for Scotland's interests and our democratic right to decide our future in an independence referendum. Families across Scotland are paying a devastating price under Westminster control, with Brexit, austerity cuts and the Tory cost of living crisis hammering household budgets.



"SNP MPs will work harder than ever to hold the Tory government to account - and make the case that independence is the essential route to safety, fairness and prosperity for Scotland.

"I would like to thank Alison Thewliss and Stuart McDonald who are both hugely talented MPs and will continue to play a key role in our movement. I would also like to pay tribute to Ian Blackford MP and Kirsten Oswald MP, who have been a fantastic leadership team and will be welcome sources of advice as we move forward together."

Who is Stephen Flynn?

The 34-year-old was born in Dundee and raised in the city and in the Angus town of Brechin. After studying politics at the University of Dundee he moved to Aberdeen where he became a councillor on the city council in 2015 representing the Kincorth/Nigg/Cove ward.

Shortly after his by-election victory he was elected the SNP's leader on the council, taking over from Jackie Dunbar who went on to be an MSP.

In 2019 he was elected the MP for Aberdeen South after Tory Ross Thomson decided he would not stand again in the seat he won from the SNP in 2017.

Flynn overturned a 4,700 majority to thump Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden. He is married and has two children. Flynn supports Dundee United.

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