Emma Roddick (born 30 July 1997) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician serving as the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees since 2023.[1] She has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Highlands and Islands since May 2021.
Emma Roddick | |
---|---|
Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees | |
Assumed office 29 March 2023 | |
First Minister | Humza Yousaf |
Preceded by | Christina McKelvie |
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) | |
Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 30 July 1997 |
Political party | Scottish National Party |
Roddick was born to Sue, a social worker, and Davy Roddick and lived in Alness from an early age.[2] Both of her parents had died by the time she was elected in May 2021. She formerly worked for the Scottish Ambulance Service.[3]
Roddick, who has Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and PTSD,[4] started a petition in 2017 to improve the available services from Scotland's NHS24 helpline.[5] In 2020 the campaign proved successful, and NHS 24 added option 3 to their service.[6]
In November 2019 she was elected in a by-election as a Councillor, representing the Inverness Central ward of the Highland Council.[7] Shortly after starting her campaign, she became the target of mostly anonymous online death and rape threats,[8] and had her home broken into twice.[9] The month before, she refused to sign a petition opposing the Gender Recognition Act reforms, claiming the petition had "transphobic undertones".[10][9]
On 8 May 2021 she was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Highlands and Islands.[11] She was one of the youngest candidates seeking election, and the youngest MSP elected.[12][13]
After her election in 2021, Roddick, who had been homeless in the past, spoke about the financial burdens of running for office which provide barriers to young and working-class people running,[13] and highlighted the initial cost of being an MSP.[14]
In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.[15]
Roddick plays the fiddle.[16] She lives in Merkinch in Inverness[17] and identifies as bisexual.[18][19]