Briefing for the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee on petition PE1949: Review the rules concerning Dual Mandate MSPs Brief overview of issues raised by the petition • The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation to prevent MSPs from holding a dual mandate. • Dual mandate is the term used to describe MSPs who, in addition to their seat in the Scottish Parliament, also hold a seat in either the House of Commons (MPs), House of Lords (Peers) or represent a ward in their local council (councillors). • Under the Wales Act 2014 the holding of dual mandates between the Senedd and the House of Commons is banned. o An existing MP elected as an AM has 8 days grace to resign from the House of Commons; an existing AM elected as an MP must resign immediately from the Assembly.