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In like Flynn? The unknown who is favourite to succeed

By Simon Johnson

Stephen Flynn is the clear favourite to succeed Ian Blackford in Westminster next Tuesday and could be crowned without a contest. It would mark the culmination of a remarkably fast political ascent for the 34-year-old, who was only elected Aberdeen South MP in the 2019 general election and remains an unknown figure to most Scots.

He was born in Dundee and raised between the city and Brechin, Angus. He graduated from Dundee University and moved to Aberdeen more than a decade ago.

However, he continues to travel regularly to his home city to watch his beloved Dundee United play.

Mr Flynn initially worked as a researcher for SNP MPS and MSPS before being elected to Aberdeen city council in 2015, eventually becoming the party’s group leader.

Four years later, he took the Aberdeen South marginal seat from the Tories with a majority of 3,990.

He holds the party’s business, energy and industrial strategy brief and tensions have emerged with Nicola Sturgeon over her opposition to developing new North Sea oil and gas fields.

Mr Flynn, whose constituents include many oil workers, warned last year about being “in a situation where we are ever more reliant on imports”.

However, he supported calls for a windfall tax on oil and gas giants. His supporters among SNP MP colleagues have lauded his oratory in the chamber and his leadership qualities from his council days. They believe he could bring back together the deeply divided group, including rehabilitating those “ostracised” under Ian Blackford.

They says he is his “own man” and he will stand up to Ms Sturgeon.

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2022-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailytelegraph.pressreader.com/article/281719798606338

Daily Telegraph