A seat at the table? Goodlad lands minister role in government

SHETLAND’s new MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad has been given a minister role in the Scottish Government in what is her first foray into politics.

She has been given the role of minister for public finance, reporting to both Jenny Gilruth and Ivan McKee.

Goodlad was pictured entering Bute House in Edinburgh – the first minister’s residence – on Wednesday afternoon.

It came after first minister John Swinney confirmed his new cabinet of secretaries. Minister appointments then followed, with Goodlad among the 12 roles.

Secretary roles are more senior than minister ones.

Although rare, it is not the first time a Shetland political representative has held a role in government in recent memory.

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael was secretary of state for Scotland at Westminster from 2013 to 2015 when his party the Liberal Democrats went into coalition with the Conservatives.

Shetland’s first MSP, Tavish Scott, also held roles in government when the Scottish Lib Dems were in coalition at Holyrood with Labour, most notably the job of transport minister in the mid-2000s.

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Goodlad was elected as Shetland’s new MSP earlier this month in what was described as a “seismic” victory in the isles the SNP as the party secured their first win in the isles.

Members of the cabinet are:

John Swinney – first minister
Jenny Gilruth – deputy first minister and finance
Ivan McKee – public service reform
Angela Constance – health
Màiri McAllan – education, culture and Gaelic
Neil Gray – justice
Shirley-Anne Somerville – social justice and housing
Gillian Martin – climate action
Stephen Flynn – economy, transport and tourism