Thursday May 14th 2026
Glasgow City Chamber
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
A number of new MSPs will double as councillors in Glasgow while representing constituents in Holyrood until the next council election.
Reform MSP Thomas Kerr said he will remain as a local Shettleston councillor while it is understood SNP MSP Zen Ghani intends to continue to represent Pollokshields constituents.
The other two councillors who were elected as MSPs – Holly Bruce, of the Scottish Greens, and Alex Kerr, SNP – have not confirmed whether they will keep their elected positions on Glasgow City Council.
A by-election would be triggered if any politicians give up their local council seat.
Scottish Reform deputy leader Kerr who represents the Glasgow region said: “I have no plans to cause a by-election and the Parliament deducts my councillor salary so I won’t be receiving both.”
Before his election as an MSP for Cathcart & Pollok, it was understood Ghani also intended to stay on as a councillor until the next local election and donate his council wage to charity.
Voters will go to the polls for the next council election in May 2027.
Kerr and Bruce have not responded to comments on their Glasgow City council plans after being elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Kerr won the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat while Bruce triumphed in Glasgow Southside.
A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “Holly, Kayleigh and Kristopher have agreed that they will see out their term as councillors which they were elected to in 2022. The trio have also agreed to step back from any leadership and chair roles within their remit as councillors.
“Our newly elected MSPs who are in their grace period as councillors are following the rules set out by the Scottish Parliament.
“We are incredibly proud of our Scottish Green councillors across Scotland, and we look forward to the upcoming local elections where we hope to win even more seats next year.”
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