Politics

Day in the Life of an MLA: Colin McGrath

Six months after an election and with no sign of the assembly returning, MLAs are facing a pay cut. But shorn of their legislative role, what does a typical assembly members's day look like? In the first in a series, Marie Louise McConville spoke to SDLP South Down representative Colin McGrath

SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath
SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath

MOST days start for me about 6.30am with a read of the digital versions of newspapers and a quick check of overnight messages that have come in via social media streams.

I get up, shower, breakfast, check on emails, and then it’s off to the office. There are three offices: one in Downpatrick; one in Newcastle, and one in Stormont – so a quick check today; it’s Newcastle.

I start this morning with a few constituent appointments. The first relates to housing, the second is a health matter, and the third is a health-related matter. Waiting lists and access to services are causing most of the problems.

In the late morning, I’m attending a site meeting with a constituent about speeding traffic and the danger this presents to pedestrians, prams, wheelchair users and others. He tells me, “You have to see it to believe it!” So I call out, and he is entirely right.

After lunch, I have a Zoom meeting with an all-party group that I sit on. They are still meeting, and it is good that we get the chance to raise important issues via them. Afterwards, I am meeting with another group about an all-party group that I chair. We are preparing the agenda for our next meeting.

Mid-afternoon, and it is time for me to join a local councillor for the area and we take a series of photographs to raise awareness about a local issue: traffic issues on a local road.

After, we go to a local play park where there are problems about the tiles on the ground. I use the location for a video on my social media streams to update constituents on the £400 payment scheme.

Back at the office, I complete some paperwork, update and progress cases on my case management system. We split cases among our team: I have over 60 currently being actioned, and among the team I have the least! Currently, the office team have over 1,600 cases open and being actioned.

A quick bite to eat, and this evening I am out to meet a local community group, the ADHD Hub. They provide support and activities for people with ADHD and their families. They feel that no-one is shouting for them or their cause.

I listen to the group of adults, make sure I understand the issues, and now have an action list to complete.

I jump in the car, and get home about 9.30pm. A final check on my social media feeds, emails, enough time for a last bite to eat, and finally, bed. 6.30am comes quickly!

I’m most annoyed that others prevent me from doing all parts of my role as an MLA, but my work ethic is such that I cannot do all parts of the role, I increase the other parts – I don’t want to be paid public money and not work a full working week.