Would not usually discuss SNP business publicly but there is a lot of speculation about so, in the interests of accuracy, I will. Conference instructed the NEC to ensure selection rules had a focus on gender balance & increasing diversity.

The reason for this is simply because we have many MSPs & will be working to get those standing again, if they are selected, re-elected. This is a good problem to have but means targeted policies are required - diverse representation does not just happen by itself.

In seats with an SNP MSP departing there will be a presumption of all-woman shortlists. These seats are:

Aberdeen Donside
Argyll & Bute
Banffshire & Buchan Coast
Caithness, Sutherland & Ross
Clydesdale
Falkirk East
Renfrewshire North & West
Stirling
Uddingston & Bellshill.

In other seats, where there is a contest, the NEC may add additional candidates from under-represented groups (women, BAME, disabled people) to ensure a wider choice.

Any SNP MP who is selected to fight a Holyrood constituency must resign as an MP prior to the Westminster Easter recess to allow the by-election to take place on the same day as the Scottish Parliament election. They do not have to resign before they are selected.

No mechanism has yet been decided for the ranking of the list vote candidates. I speculate that they will assess the situation with constituency selections before deciding if a mechanism is required and, if so, what it should be.

The detailed rules are on the Member website and sent to branches and CAs. Only SNP members get to vote & they only get to vote to select a constituency candidate in the constituency where they reside.

Finally, I do not post this to start a debate but rather because I have seen some confusion and requests for information about what the rules are. Normally we don't discuss these issues publicly but if there is a high level of public interest it seems we must.