Welcome to the real world! SNP MSP mocked after moaning about having to wait for £64k wage
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Newly elected Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Rodick claimed that she faced running up an overdraft during the first few weeks of her job. As a result, Ms Rodick hinted that she would be asking for an “advance” from the Scottish Parliament.
Under the Scottish Parliament’s pay policy, MSPs are paid a basic salary of £64,470 which also includes travel and accommodation expenses.
MSPs also get allowances to employ staff and have offices in their constituencies.
But the 23-year-old MSP was mocked by opposition politicians and Scots who urged her to get used to the “real world” of work.
Taking to Twitter, she said: “Probably a point to be made about new MSPs being expected to live, travel, dress, spend money like an MSP for a month before they receive a salary.
“Hello, unplanned overdraft… Will be asking in induction tomorrow if advances are an option.”
She later added: “Not saying MSP pay is too low, just that someone on a low salary entering it may struggle before they are paid, and that may be a barrier.”
Responding to her tweet, one Scot said: “My heart bleeds.
“I’m on £21k a year and struggle to keep afloat. Dry your eyes.”
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A second pointed out that employers may not give advances about their pay policy and added: “Exactly the same for everyone else and advances are not usually an option.
“Welcome to the real world.”
One SNP supporter said: “I appreciate you are young and new but this tweet makes me wonder if you are up to the job.
“I’m an SNP member and feel so let down by this.
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“Everyone starting a new job is in the same boat, most won’t get your salary.
“Take the unplanned overdraft and pay it off in full from your first salary.”
Scottish Conservative MSPs also hit out at the newly-elected Nationalist politician.
Glasgow Regional List MSP Annie Wells said: “Aw, diddums Person facepalming.
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“Your sheer entitlement is on full display here, please reflect on this tweet for the benefit of your constituents.”
Highlands and Islands Regional List MSP Dean Lockhart replied to Ms Rodick and said: “I can hear the fury of the SNP press office and whips already.
“Can you imagine if it was a Tory who had tweeted this?”
Ms Roddick is the SNP’s youngest MSP and has served as a Scottish National Councillor for Highlands Council in Inverness since 2017.
The MSP later said that five people had offered her a loan after posting the tweet.
The Scottish Parliament has been approached for comment on their pay policy.
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