Politics / Hannah Mary Goodlad likely to contest Shetland seat for SNP in Holyrood elections
THE FIRST candidate has declared their intention to stand for the Scottish parliamentary elections in May 2026.
Hannah Mary Goodlad told Shetland News she is “really excited” to put herself forward as the local SNP representative, and is now looking forward to campaigning for her programme of change for the isles.
Born and brought up in Shetland, Goodlad left the isles as an 18-year-old to study geology and chemistry at Glasgow University before moving to London for her masters.
She has been working for Norwegian state-owned energy company Equinor for the last 11 years, first in Aberdeen, then London and Asia.
Having lived in Oslo for the last three and half years, the 34-year-old said she has a clear understanding of how Nordic countries work and is keen to bring that knowledge to the table should she be elected to represent Shetland after next year’s election.
Married to Callum Scott, Goodlad is also the co-founder of the successful Haar Sauna business in Bigton.
With Beatrice Wishart standing down next year, and the Lib Dems not having announced their candidate yet, the race for the Shetland seat is wide open.
Nominations are still open for the SNP candidacy for Shetland, with a decision to be made next month.
Goodlad said she feels “super grateful” for what Shetland has given her in terms of schooling and growing up in the local community, adding that the time was right for her to come home and to give back.
“Shetland means the world to me,” she said.
“I am really excited and feel this is the right thing to do. I hope that Shetlanders will put their trust in me.
“I have always been motivated by working for change and trying to make a positive impact to the communities I have lived in.
“And Shetland needs a change in the way it is represented at Holyrood.
“The isles are at a crossroads in the way we claim their place within Scotland, the Nordic countries and the UK.”
“Shetland,” Goodlad claimed, “could and should be the most important local authority area in the country.”
She added that for too long Shetland has been preoccupied with looking south and thus has neglected links to the north and east.
Some of the key issues of her election campaign will be connectivity – as a geologist she knows a thing or two about tunnels – and how to secure a fair share for the isles as part of an equitable energy transition.
In Norway, she said, society was very much focused on equity and a fair tax system.
“I have a long track record to work for fairness and equity,” Goodlad said.
“I don’t like to be restricted by the status quo; there is a better way and a better future for Shetland, and I am keen to embrace new ways of thinking.”
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