‘Implementing the vision’ – Hannah Mary Goodlad on social media use, young people and tough political choices
Maddison Reynolds spoke to the new MSP about some of the issues facing young islanders, and how she aims to tackle these
HANNAH Mary Goodlad was seen by many as an active voice across social media platforms during the Scottish parliamentary election campaign, and she clearly feels that this did not overshadow the importance of real-life discussion.
“I got out and spoke to thousands of folk on doorsteps, held events in community halls, in Mareel; a whole pile of face-to-face interactions because you can’t beat it” she said.
She recalls speaking to potential voters in their 70s and 80s who had mentioned seeing her videos online, noting that she was able to connect with those beyond a younger generation on social media.
Goodlad sees social media as a tool necessary to reach out to voters under her own terms, and to interact with a wide range of constituents.
“The first reason that I really wanted a good social media campaign was that I could feel I was reaching people’s sitting rooms; that I was bringing politics to them, and they could choose to engage or not.
“The second reason was that I wanted to control my own narrative, because there’s a lot of mischief in politics. I wanted to create a campaign that was grounded in my own narrative.”
Goodlad continues to post regularly across platforms, with 12,000 followers on Facebook, 10,000 on LinkedIn and 9,000 on Instagram. She noted that there is a difference in how she connects with her constituents now that she has been elected, as well as taking on the role as minister for public finance.
“In a campaign, the communication and the narrative is about your vision. It’s also about wanting to win. This is a different nuance. My communication is now about the vision and implementing that.”
In terms of a potential fatigue that some may feel towards a persistent social media presence, Goodlad believes in her role to communicate with people as transparently as possible.
“Democracy is not a one-time event. You win an election, but then you don’t disappear. That’s how I see politics. I am in politics to do things differently. I want to be as approachable as possible.”
The need for better public transport
Among the issues that Goodlad aims to tackle as Shetland’s MSP is depopulation, with a clear emphasis on trying to retain and attract a young working population to the isles. However, rising travel and living costs prove making a start in the isles difficult for some.
Scottish Government policies have lessened travel costs for young islanders, introducing free foot passenger travel on inter-island ferries, and vouchers for two return trips annually to the Scottish mainland.
As for inter-island services, Goodlad wants to see further progress.
“When it comes to the inter-island ferries, I want to see improved bus links; I want to see improved transport length. I put the challenge back to the SIC to be really looking at improving our public transport.
“If we are to make better use of public finance, public money, and decarbonise at the same time, it’s about improving the public transport network.”
There are also frustrations surrounding air travel, and although young islanders have access to ADS and student discounts, flights still cost a hefty sum to reach the mainland.
Goodlad recognised this frustration saying, “You have almost £70 million of public money going into an aviation service that I would argue, and many would agree with me, isn’t providing the lifeline route that we need across the north.”
After the Scottish Government announced it would provide £1.06 million for the reinstatement of weekday flights through Inverness from the isles, Goodlad questioned whether this will be enough to ensure islanders have fair travel access.
“What I’m really calling for is to get HIAL, the regional transport bodies, the private operators as well, all around together, because I think solutions exist. There needs to be a stop to this piecemeal approach and see it as a totality.
“There are better ways of using that public money. I fundamentally believe that.”
As part of Goodlad’s personal campaign manifesto, she called for action to be made around the 404 empty houses across Shetland.
“I see young folk priced out of the market here, because of movement within the UK. Selling homes down in the south of the country at very high values and then being able to buy something up here.”
The SNP government plan to provide £10,000 to help young people put down deposits for a first home.
Goodlad wants to further this for islanders, saying “I question and I put the challenge out there as to how can Shetland match that?
“How can the [Shetland] Charitable Trust be loaning that, then potentially recouping it at some stage? By giving young folk an extra £10,000 to make that pot £20,000 towards a deposit.”
Goodlad also questioned the balance between prioritising tourism, a large factor in Shetland’s income, and ensuring the islands provide support for locals to live here affordably. Short term lets, such as Airbnb’s, are increasing across the islands, amongst an ever-growing tourism industry.
“I grew up in the lanes here [in Lerwick], and it was a really vibrant environment to grow up in, with lots of young families.
“I door-knocked every single lane during the campaign, and I was shocked at how many lockboxes there were; at how empty and dead they were.”
The MSP believes the solution “requires really bold political choices” to balance the income of tourism and providing affordable housing for islanders.
“These are political choices that will not please everybody. But we need to ask, who do we make these political choices for?”
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