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Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad has come under scrutiny for appointing an “artist in residence” for her constituency, a role funded with £11,000 of public money. The position, which lasts four months and requires 35 hours of work per week, is intended to be filled by a Shetland-based creative from any artistic discipline. Goodlad, who serves as the SNP public finance minister, emphasized that the artist’s role is to engage with the local community and develop projects that align with policy priorities.
In addition to this creative role, Goodlad is also recruiting a communications assistant tasked with translating political content into the Shetland language. She argues that both positions are crucial to making politics more accessible and relatable to residents across the islands. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Goodlad rejected criticism from media outlets, stating, “I don’t take much guidance from the tabloids and I’m pretty sure Shetland listeners don’t either.” She expressed enthusiasm about these hires, highlighting her commitment to offering a fresh and inclusive political approach in Shetland.
Goodlad further explained that the jobs would not be posted unless there was a genuine need for them. She elaborated, “There is a job that needs done in terms of reaching out right across the community and making folk feel like politics is for them. This is why I am bringing in this more artistic role, but also the Shetland language role as well.” Her intention is to use these roles as innovative ways to connect with different segments of the population throughout Shetland.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from political opponents. Reform MSP Max Bannerman described the artist position as “state-funded propaganda” and questioned the prioritization of public spending given the region’s pressing challenges. Bannerman commented, “The job of an MSP is to focus on the bread and butter constituency issues and escalating that where necessary.” Likewise, Murdo Fraser MSP of the Scottish Conservatives criticized the initiative amid ongoing cost-of-living struggles, stating, “Shetland families are being hammered by rising fuel bills and the cost of living, yet an SNP MSP thinks an £11,000 artist-in-residence is a good use of public money.” Both politicians argue that Shetland’s immediate needs, such as fishing, energy, infrastructure, and transportation, should take precedence over creative appointments
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