Hannah Mary Goodlad, the SNP public finance minister representing Shetland, has defended her decision to recruit an artist in residence for her constituency at a cost of £11,000 from her parliamentary staff budget. The role, which runs from November to February 2026, seeks a Shetland-based creative professional to engage with the community and deliver projects aligned with policy priorities.
The position is advertised as a full-time-equivalent salary of £33,000 for the four-month fixed-term contract, requiring 35 hours per week. Alongside this, Goodlad is also hiring a communications assistant to produce content in the Shetland language, a 14-hour-per-week role for November and December at a full-time-equivalent salary of £32,000. The artist's duties include supporting school and community-group engagement and helping produce Goodlad's annual report.
The recruitment has drawn criticism from multiple quarters. Reform MSP Max Bannerman characterised the artist role as
state-funded propaganda, while according to reporting from another outlet, Conservative MSPs and the TaxPayers' Alliance have also voiced concerns, with the latter describing the position as
political self-indulgence.
Why is Goodlad making these hires?
Goodlad argues that both roles are essential to make politics more accessible across the islands. She stated that she would not be recruiting for positions that lacked genuine necessity, emphasising her commitment to reaching different parts of the Shetland population through creative means.
Speaking to a national broadcaster, Goodlad said:
I have also been in politics to do things in a really different way and I'm in this to make sure politics feels different and more accessible. So I am very excited to advertise these roles here in Shetland to see what kind of passion we can bring into the team and help communicate our message across Shetland and help us connect with folk across Shetland in a very unique way.
She elaborated on the rationale for the artist position:
This is a very specific role that I want to explore different ways of reaching out across Shetland and connecting with different parts of the population. 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.
Goodlad also noted that Shetland's recent bid to become the culture town of 2028 provides additional context for the recruitment.
Just now we are united in backing the bid to become the culture town of 2028, so I think this is a fantastic opportunity for more creative folk to join the local MSP team.
What are the main criticisms?
Bannerman, the Reform MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has been the most vocal opponent of the roles. He posted on social media:
Contributions in the chamber have been full of sanctimony and faux indignation. So no surprise at today's Daily Mail splash on her "personal artist". Does she think she's Mary Queen of Scots?
Bannerman subsequently expanded his criticism, arguing that the £11,000 expenditure represents a misallocation of public resources. He stated:
I think Shetlanders will be looking at this and thinking what on earth is going on. The job of an MSP is to focus on the bread and butter constituency issues and escalating that where necessary. There is also the aspect of spending public money. I do not think this is a wise use of public money and I think most people looking at the £11,000 figure would agree.
Bannerman contended that constituents have more pressing concerns.
I was in Shetland ten days ago speaking to lots of local organisations and people, and my instinct was they have some big issues to do with fishing, energy, infrastructure, ferries and other things and they would prefer an MSP who just cracks on with that job.
How has Goodlad responded to her critics?
Goodlad dismissed criticism from tabloid coverage, stating:
I don't take much guidance from the tabloids and I'm pretty sure Shetland listeners don't either.She also directly rebutted Bannerman's attacks, saying:
I'll be taking no lectures from Max Bannerman, a man who failed to win his constituency seat, and I'll be taking no lectures from the Reform Party, a party that is creating a lot of division.
What happens next?
Both advertised roles have a closing date of 19 October 2026. Goodlad was first elected as Shetland MSP in May 2026 and was appointed Minister for Public Finance that same month.
Key Facts:
- The artist-in-residence position offers a full-time-equivalent salary of £33,000 for a four-month contract from November to February 2026
- The Shetland language communications assistant role is 14 hours per week for November and December at a full-time-equivalent salary of £32,000
- According to local reporting, the artist's duties include supporting school and community-group engagement and producing Goodlad's annual report
- The recruitment has drawn criticism from Reform, Conservative MSPs, and the TaxPayers' Alliance
- Application closing date for both positions is 19 October 2026
