Emma Roddick: I didn’t know until recently how much Yes, Minister still reflects life in government

“It’s all a matter of hats.” I always enjoyed Yes, Minister. I didn’t know until recently how much of it still reflects the politics of government.

I am still getting used, as a new minister, to changing hats. It becomes more complicated when I am doing something I would have done anyway – like speaking at Highland Pride – and remembering that because LGBTQ+ rights sit under 'Equalities', this is now a time for wearing the ministerial hat. Wearing that hat doesn’t change how I speak to people, or how constituents should interact with me but it will mean being followed around by an official who has to take notes.

Population sits with the minister for migration – that’s me – so, I will be meeting with groups, including in the Highlands and Islands, in my ministerial hat to discuss our forthcoming addressing depopulation action plan.

I’m very excited about that work, and the opportunities for working with colleagues responsible for other areas to make sure we are addressing the drivers of depopulation, like the availability of housing, transport, and employment opportunities. I’ll then swap to my MSP hat to hold a surgery round the corner – probably to talk about exactly the same things.

It’s not just hats, either. I have to cart three phones around, as parliamentary or personal information cannot be stored on government devices and government information must not be shared to parliamentary or personal devices. Feeling more than a little bit ridiculous holding three phones, I did ask in my first month: “Could I not get rid of at least one?” “Yes, Minister,” came the answer. “You could get rid of your personal one.”

So, I’m stuck looking – as is the official term – well suspicious.

This may all seem a bit unnecessary and strange but it’s not about making me inaccessible – it’s the opposite. Having official records of my interactions wearing the ministerial hat means that anyone who wants to know what I get up to on their behalf as a minister can request documents to tell them exactly that. Private information about constituents wouldn’t be recorded – the note might read that I “spoke to attendees about local issues” – but what I get up to and who I’m lobbied by would be recorded for all to see.

So, if you see me at an event wearing a ministerial hat, please don’t be afraid to come up and say hello.

I’m very much looking forward to summer recess – which parliament will be in by the time this column is published – and the many opportunities for wearing my MSP Hat that this will bring. As usual, I’ll be getting to as many places as possible to hold surgeries and speak with folk across the region who don’t spend most of their days living in the parliament bubble.

If there is something on your mind that you want to discuss, or if there’s something I can help you with, you don’t have to wait for a surgery – contact me at emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot or on 01463 563036.

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