Nicola Sturgeon resigns – live: Tearful Scottish first minister says ‘politics is brutal’ as she quits
SNP leader has announced she will stand down as first minister of Scotland after eight years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nicola Sturgeon lamented the “brutal” nature of politics as she announced her resignation as first minister after more than eight years in the job.
The outgoing FM insisted that recent “pressures” on trans rights issues had no role to play in her decision to resign.
The SNP leader said she was “confident” of leading her party to further electoral success but that the time was “right” for her to step aside.
Speaking at a news conference in Edinburgh earlier, Ms Sturgeon said: “In my head and in my heart I know that the time is now, that it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”
She had been heavily criticsed by some in her own party over her stance on transgender issues and her handling of the Isla Bryson case.
Ms Sturgeon had also come under fire for saying that her party would fight the next general election as a de-facto referendum on Scottish independence, an issue she said the SNP was now “free” to decide following her exit.
‘Danger of becoming too long'
FM says that giving everything to the job is the “only way” to do it.
She says it has been difficult not spending enough time with her family and would like to do this when she steps down.
She adds that the job can only be done - by anyone - “for so long”.
“For me, it is in danger of becoming too long”
‘Brutal'
FM cites the difficulties of modern life as a politician.
She says that even going for a walk by yourself or a coffee with friends can be difficult.
She also references the coarsening of political discourse in recent years, saying it has become almost “brutal”.
Watch: Nicola Sturgeon says she has been ‘wrestling with decision’ to resign as first minister
She says all of these factors take a toll on a person and “those around you”.
FM says leading Scotland through Covid pandemic was the toughest thing she has done.
It was only recently that I began to process the mental and physical stress of that time, Sturgeon adds.
I have a duty to go now
FM says she could have “battled on” for another few months.
“But if the question is, ‘can I give this job everything it demands and deserves for another year?’ - let alone for the remainder of the parliamentary term...the answer is different.”
Sturgeon says that is her conclusion, adding that, given the scale of the challenges the country faces, she has a duty to walk away now.
‘Critical moment'
She says she owes it to her party to step aside during what she describes as a “critical moment” in Scotland’s politics.
FM cites UK government blocking of a second referendum, saying this “puts the onus on us” to decide how democracy can be “protected” in Scotland.
She said her plan to use the next Westminster elections as a de-factor poll on independence is “well known”.
“I’ve never pretended it’s perfect - no second-best option is,” she adds, saying there is “no alternative”.
SNP ‘free’ to choose own course on de-facto referendum
Sturgeon says her views as a leader would carry “enormous” and probably “decisive” weight when the SNP conference meets next month.
She says she can’t in “good conscience” force her party to choose an option endorsed by her but one which she would not be able to “see it through.”
FM adds that her decision to stand down leaves the SNP “free” to choose its own course on the issue of a de-facto referendum.
I believe there is a majority for independence
FM says that one of the difficulties in coming to her decision was that she was “confident” that she would lead her party to further electoral success.
She points out, at this moment in time, SNP is well ahead of other parties in the polls.
But the longer a leader is in office, Sturgeon adds, the more opinions about them become “fixed” and “very hard to change”.
Sturgeon says that polls come and go before saying she believes that there is now a “majority” for independence.
But that support needs to be solidified, she adds.
SNP must reach across political divide - FM
She says that support needs to “grow further” if Scotland were to prosper outside the UK if it eventually left.
FM says to achieve that her party must reach across the political divide.
“My judgment now is that a new leader will be able to do this”.
‘Thank you'
Sturgeon finishes by paying tribute to the Scottish people, “whether you voted for me or not”.
She says serving the country has been the “privilege of my life”.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, I do in future will ever come anywhere close,” she adds.
“Thank you from the very bottom of my heart”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments