Very early within the pandemic, any individual in my workplace mentioned, “Have you ever seen these voiceover movies of your Covid briefings that Janey Godley is doing? They’re actually, actually humorous.’” So I watched a few them they usually actually, actually had been.
Clearly, Covid was such a tough and darkish time for everyone, and for me as first minister, it was tense, however after discovering out about Janey’s voiceovers, I bear in mind fairly rapidly moving into this type of sample: after I did the briefing day by day, half an hour later I’d go to see if Janey had posted something – she used to publish her movies rapidly – simply to raise my spirits and cheer me up. They at all times made me chuckle.
Janey took the – excuse my language – piss out of me on many events, sure, however that’s par for the course. Any politician who will get po-faced about stuff like that – effectively, there’s one thing a bit unsuitable with them.
Within the darkest of occasions, Janey made folks chuckle, however she additionally bought public well being messages throughout to those that would by no means have watched me give a really sombre authorities briefing. And I’m conscious this will sound like hyperbole, however by making humorous and accessible movies that individuals wished to observe, there’s little question in my thoughts that Janey may have helped save lives again then.
Take how she described the 2-metre rule in one in every of her voiceovers as two alsatians – all of a sudden folks knew what was meant! I believe she in all probability humanised me as effectively, which made my job simply that wee bit simpler, for which I’m grateful.
On the time, we began chatting away on-line, after which I noticed Janey at occasions after Covid had handed. I additionally interviewed her on the 2023 Aye Write competition in Glasgow, which was a beautiful occasion, and the love within the room for her was completely palpable. As we walked on to the stage, there was this large standing ovation, folks cheering, and I might really feel her subsequent to me, getting a bit emotional about it. The factor is, Janey may very well be actually gallus – that’s a Glasgow phrase, that means brash and in your face – however she was additionally a mild human being. She knew she had a giant, loyal following, however I bought the sense that night time, for the primary time, she realised, wow, these folks really feel one thing for me.
I went to go to her within the hospice a few weeks earlier than she handed when she was very philosophical about being on the very finish of her life. Even in these circumstances, she was hysterically humorous. She had me in stitches from the minute I walked into the room to the minute I left. The braveness with which she confronted her most cancers prognosis and significantly the ultimate phases of her life was unimaginable too. I’ve spoken to many individuals who took power from how open she was on-line, and the way a lot she shared. It’s not for everyone and many individuals understandably wouldn’t need to do this, however that’s how she coped, and in doing that, I believe she helped loads of different folks address related conditions.
She bought an enormous quantity of abuse on-line too, loads of which was horrible, horrific – however she was decided to not let that drive her away from the general public sphere or cease her from doing the issues she liked. That was additionally so empowering.
The day earlier than her funeral, there was an occasion in Edinburgh to have a good time her life, together with her coffin coming down the Royal Mile. A lot of folks got here out to applaud her, however I had one thing else in Edinburgh that afternoon, so couldn’t go. However as I used to be driving again to Glasgow that Friday, I pulled up at some site visitors lights, and there was a hearse in entrance of me. I assumed, absolutely it may be. And it was – it was Janey.
I stayed behind her hearse all the way in which again to Glasgow, having this hilarious dialog together with her in my head – I might simply hear her saying, you higher not be operating your automobile into the again of me! It was simply happenstance, however for that to have occurred felt so particular. And the funeral service the subsequent day was beautiful, plenty of laughter and tears, however extra laughter than tears. Simply as she’d have wished.
