Nicola Sturgeon

She became the leader of the ruling Scottish National Party in the wake of Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, when her country voted to remain as part ...

Ms Sturgeon did not offer specifics on the topic of her successor, defaulting to her party to set a timetable for one to be chosen, and refused to indicate who she would back as her replacement. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Ms Sturgeon her for her "long-standing service" and wished her all the best for her next steps. But he acknowledged that Ms Sturgeon had led the country through some of the "most challenging" times in recent history. "Maybe I want to spend a bit of time on Nicola Sturgeon the human being," she said. Ms Sturgeon became the leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) in the wake of its 2014 independence referendum, when the country voted to remain as part of the United Kingdom. "This decision comes from a deeper and longer term assessment," Ms Sturgeon said, adding she had been wrestling with the decision for weeks.

London: Nicola Sturgeon, one of the most influential figures in British politics for the past decade, has announced her resignation as Scotland's first ...

She said issues that were controversial “end up almost irrationally so”, though she made no specific reference to Scotland’s gender reforms. She had also come under criticism for failing to say clearly whether she believed Isla Bryson, a convicted rapist who transitioned after committing the crimes, was male or female. Posting on Twitter, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Sturgeon for her service. Someone who is not subject to quite the same polarised opinions, fair or unfair, as I now am.” These jobs are a privilege, but they are also rightly hard and especially in the case of first minister, relentlessly so.” And so today I am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party,” she said in an unscheduled press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her unexpected resignation after more than eight years in the job.

And over the last number of weeks, probably since around the turn of the year, I’ve been struggling with just that,” said the First Minister. The country deserves nothing less than that.” Such is the beauty of democracy.

Nicola Sturgeon is resigning as First Minister of Scotland. We don't yet know when — or why. After eight years in the role, unchallenged the whole time…

In the history of the SNP she is, and always will be, a giant. In the lives of ordinary Scots, once she goes, there will be few signs she was ever there. After eight years in the role, unchallenged the whole time, she has hit troubles recently over gender law reform, the placement of Isla Bryson, a rapist, in a women’s prison and Sturgeon’s failure to deliver a promised second referendum on independence.

After more than eight years as the head of her country's government, Nicola Sturgeon will resign from her First Minister post, she announced Wednesday.

"In a way, it was a surprise because [she said she was going to go on], but then any leader would say that because you become a lame duck the second you say you're going to resign." Sturgeon will remain first minister until the Scottish National Party can elect a new leader. Both referenced the nasty tone of political discourse and the emotional strain that comes with serving in office. [told the BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-scotland-64648879) there was "plenty left in the tank" and that she hoped to be the very politician who could lead Scotland to independence. But when is that ever not the case?" [Journalists in the country were surprised](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-scotland-64648879/page/2) to be invited to Sturgeon's residence on short notice during the Scottish parliament's recess. A person could essentially be one gender legally on one side of the Scottish-English border and then another gender legally a mile away. "This decision is not a reaction to short-term pressures. [ embroiled in a separate fight with the U.K. prime minister, for a Section 30 order,](https://www.npr.org/2022/06/14/1105025412/first-minister-of-scotland-unveils-campaign-for-scottish-independence) which would grant Edinburgh the power to hold such a vote. Or will it go the direction the rest of the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the law would undermine U.K.-wide legislation because residents in other parts of the Kingdom do need to undergo a medical exam to change their gender.

Nicola Sturgeon denies 'short-term pressures' behind resignation as Scottish first minister – UK politics live · Sturgeon says she has been 'wrestling' with ...

Nicola was very, very dominant within the SNP government in terms of decision-making, and that’s great when things are going well. The pro-independence leader of Catalonia, the Spanish region that launched an unsuccessful, unilateral bid to secede from the rest of Spain in late 2017, also paid tribute to Sturgeon’s leadership and the example she had set for like-minded movements. The Scottish first minister set out her reasons for resigning and was at pains to stress that it is not a reaction to “short-term pressures”. She was very, very popular in the early months and years. “Thank you, Nicola Sturgeon, for your courage and political commitment to progress, social justice and your tireless struggle for freedom,” Pere Aragonès wrote on Twitter. Talks between teaching unions and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, have ended without progress yet again, prompting warnings that further strike action in schools in England seems “inevitable”. A report by the government’s independent watchdog on surveillance found that British police are leaving themselves open to spying by Beijing because of their reliance on Chinese-made cameras. More than 2,500 refugees and asylum seekers have crossed the Channel to the UK so far this year. The SNP leader has had a series of political setbacks recently, including the UK supreme court defeat of her plans for a fresh independence referendum and a damaging row over a double rapist being sent to a female jail after announcing she was a trans woman. The Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said Nicola Sturgeon was an “able politician” who had led Scotland through some of the most “challenging times” in recent history. And, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, for my party and for the independence cause I have devoted my life to? Regardless of our differences, she is an able politician who has stood at the forefront of Scottish politics for more than 20 years.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced her intention to resign from her position as First Minister and leader of the Scottish National ...

Sturgeon is the first woman to serve as First Minister of Scotland, and her resignation marks the end of an era for Scottish politics. During her time as First Minister, Sturgeon has been a strong voice for Scottish independence and has worked to strengthen Scotland's economy and social services. Sturgeon has served in these roles for over eight years and was previously Deputy First Minister for the best part of eight years before that.

Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, Wednesday, Feb Sturgeon has resigned as first minister of Scotland following months ...

Sturgeon said she had been "wrestling" with whether it was time step down for a number of weeks. The inmate was transferred to a men's prison after being assessed by prison authorities. That raised concerns that Sturgeon's position on transgender rights could undermine support for independence, the SNP's overarching goal. "In my head and in my heart I know that time is now," she said. The UK government has refused to allow a second referendum. Geez," tweeted SNP lawmaker Angus MacNeil, referring to the

Ms Sturgeon rose to power unopposed after the ill-fated independence referendum in 2014. Nicola Sturgeon will stand down as First Minister after eight years ...

If the question is can I battle on for another few months then the answer is yes, of course I can," the 52-year-old said. "In my head and in my heart I know that time is now. She denied she was reacting to "short-term pressures" after a series of political setbacks.

Nicola Sturgeon says she is too divisive to continue leading Scotland. Take a look at some of the moments that defined her career.

[Ms Sturgeon set down the date of October 19 2023 for a new referendum](/news/2022-06-29/scottish-leader-calls-for-new-independence-vote-next-year/101191808), subject to legality and constitutionality. Yes, I think that is true,” she said. Case numbers stood at 83 by that time. Ms Sturgeon admitted that she had met with Mr Salmond to discuss the investigation. In mid-2021, Ms Sturgeon admitted in parliament that she wished she’d made the call earlier. The most-recent controversy to envelop Ms Sturgeon came in the form of an unprecedented intervention into Scottish parliament by the UK government. Within days of her comments, Bryson was moved to a male prison, but reactions to Ms Sturgeon’s resignation have been saturated with references to the controversy. Ms Sturgeon formally requested the power to hold another referendum, on the basis that Brexit had changed the landscape of the previous vote and that her re-election showed that Scotland was now pro-independence. Ms Sturgeon says Ms Truss did not call her once during her time in office, despite the Scottish leader having had talks with Theresa May and Boris Johnson within days of them being appointed. Ms Sturgeon hinted that she might put a new referendum on Scottish independence on the table and unsuccessfully sought to negotiate separate trade and immigration protocols for Scotland with the UK’s new Brexit negotiators. [Ms Sturgeon said she had been "wrestling" with the idea for some weeks, but in her "head and heart" it was time to step aside](/news/2023-02-15/scotland-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-quits/101980450). Ms Sturgeon was elected unopposed as his successor, and vowed to continue the fight.

Like ex-New Zealand PM, Scotland's first minister speaks of duty to admit how 'brutality' of political life got to her.

Sturgeon spoke of the “much greater intensity” and “brutality” of life as a politician today. Social media wasn’t so present, and actually the quality of the discourse was better than it is today,” she said. We all take slings and arrows – and women politicians more than most – so thank you.” It’s something we have got to tackle because not only will it force good people out of politics, it will have consequences in terms of the quality of legislation that is passed.” So much so that the New Zealand actor Sam Neill tweeted at the time she quit: “Her treatment, the pile on, in the last few months has been disgraceful and embarrassing. Could she have given it “every ounce of energy that it needs?” Then the answer was “different”, she said. “I am a human being,” she stressed more than once. And as one who had wrestled with accepting she simply no longer had the reserves needed to do the job justice, it was her “duty to say so”. Both had found themselves in the eye of the storm immediately before announcing their departures. She too spoke of a duty to admit her doubts. “Even ordinary stuff that most people take for granted like going for a coffee with friends, or for a walk on your own, becomes very difficult.” And she had “a duty to say so now”.

Three Conservative prime ministers (Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak) have all refused to grant the Scottish parliament authority to hold another ...

[The recent case](https://theconversation.com/isla-bryson-scotlands-transgender-prisoner-policy-was-assessed-as-not-affecting-women-198909) of transgender prisoners within Scottish jails led to a very public debate, and the reversal of the Scottish Prison Service's policy that allowed trans prisoners to be accommodated based on their self-declared gender. [positive support](https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2023/02/15/nicola-sturgeon-seen-doing-good-job-scots-most-her) that few others — especially the several Conservative prime ministers who have come and gone during her tenure — could match. As she underlined in her resignation speech, she has come to represent these issues and debates in the public eye. SNP MP Stewart McDonald was particularly vocal, highlighting this move as [damaging for the independence movement](https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,de-facto-referendum-will-not-deliver-independence-snp-mp). Alex Salmond's Alba Party has also been [very critical](https://www.thenational.scot/news/23314433.alba-call-special-holyrood-election-indyref-strategy-update/) of the plan. The latter was a rare occurrence: transgender issues, and the bill on gender recognition in particular, have highlighted a divide within the SNP — a party legendary for its internal discipline and focus. [indyref2](https://theconversation.com/why-nicola-sturgeon-is-pushing-so-hard-for-indyref2-now-127883)". No party has achieved this level of support in Scotland since the 1950s, although the SNP came very close in its landslide UK general election of 2015. Sturgeon's resignation opens the door for a reconsideration of this approach. [Jacinda Ardern](https://theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-the-politics-of-kindness-is-a-lasting-legacy-198186) resigned as New Zealand's prime minister a few weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon assured voters she still had plenty [left in the tank](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-insists-there-is-plenty-left-in-the-tank-and-that-she-hopes-to-be-leader-to-take-scotland-to-independence-3996354). She said so in her [resignation speech on Wednesday](/news/2023-02-15/scotland-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-quits/101980450), which came as a surprise to much of Scotland. Sturgeon had announced that her "plan C" was to approach the next general election as a de facto referendum on independence.

Five people share their views on what the first minister has – or has not – achieved.

Her obsession with independence after the 2014 referendum was lost has been to the detriment of Scots and UK citizens as a whole. “The decline in healthcare, education and living standards on her watch are a disgrace and she should be ashamed of herself for focusing on ephemeral issues like trans rights and independence while so many of the devolved services are in crisis. I wanted to live in a country that supported the EU. “I think politics in Scotland has become increasingly toxic, polarised and dogmatic under the SNP. “I hope that the push to reduce inequality and expand rights are maintained. I think she will be remembered for this push, and for the general leftwards direction of both the SNP and

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will resign, saying she believed now is the right time to step away.

She has also been a supporter of transgender rights, overseeing the passage of legislation in the Scottish parliament to make it easier for people to legally change their gender identity. Sturgeon will remain in parliament and continue as First Minister until a new leader is elected. As First Minister, she has been an advocate for gender equality, pursuing multiple policies that have improved the lives of women in Scotland. Her attempts have been stifled by the British parliament, who have resisted calls for a Scottish referendum. Someone about whom the mind of almost everyone in the country is not already made up for better or worse.” “It’s the only way to do it,” she said.

So began the inevitable parsing of her resignation speech, itself praised for its honesty and humility – particularly in contrast to recent UK prime ministerial ...

Those who know Sturgeon well highlight her comments on Wednesday on the polarisation of Scottish politics, and its “brutal” nature – especially for women. Jeane Freeman, whose friendship with Sturgeon was cemented when she worked as her health secretary during the pandemic, told the Guardian: “It’s inevitable that going through something as relentless and all-consuming takes its toll, as I know personally. That Sturgeon was ready to leave the role she has occupied since she seamlessly replaced Alex Salmond in 2014 was no secret. MP Amy Callaghan toppled the former Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson in 2019 and Sturgeon’s delighted fist-pumping reaction, caught unintentionally on camera, went viral at the time. While she leaves the independence question in deadlock, she insisted her decision to step down was anchored in what was right “for the country, for my party and for the independence cause I have devoted my life to”. I will always be a feminist.” But Sturgeon is a woman who likes to craft her own narrative. [harassment complaints made against the former first minister](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/30/alex-salmond-inquiry-upheld-five-sexual-harassment-complaints), constant calls for her to quit, and ultimately her being [cleared](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/22/nicola-sturgeon-cleared-of-knowingly-breaching-ministerial-code) of misleading parliament. In her resignation speech she warmly thanked “my SNP family”, the party she joined as a serious-minded 16-year-old in the 1980s, when support for independence was marginal and membership was not about forging a career in politics. She The superlatives flooded in from supporters and opponents alike, describing Scotland’s first female first minister, who has led her party to political dominance for nearly a decade, as “formidable”, “unparalleled”, “tireless”. [Nicola Sturgeon](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/nicola-sturgeon) in the hours before she publicly announced her resignation as Scotland’s first minister, it was the timing and not the fact of her departure that came as the almighty shock.

Their departures are a stark contrast to some recent male leaders who held on until they were forced out.

They have also shown that stereotypically “feminine” traits, and the “masculine” traits more traditionally associated with world leaders, do not have to be mutually exclusive. The idea that office is a duty, and that one should serve only as long as it is in the public interest to do so, is a concept lost on too many of our political elites. Instead, they have demonstrated a balanced approach to leadership that many of their counterparts would do well to follow. The total commitment and devotion to the job that each leader gave throughout her tenure took its toll, but it is harder for women to survive in public life without excelling at their job. The desire for renewal has now come full circle: we see women leaders seeking to avoid the staleness of their male predecessors by knowing when to quit. Seeing two leaders step back as soon as they felt that they were no longer the best person for the job, rather than waiting to be forced out, is a refreshing and inspiring change. Sturgeon is the first woman (and longest serving person) to hold the office of first minister of Scotland. But both still commanded the leadership of their party and the respect of their nation, and neither was under any imminent pressure to call it quits. Women’s growing presence in politics has been associated with political renewal – the replacement of the Ardern is the first leader of New Zealand (and second in the world, after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto) to give birth while in office. Two women known for their feminism and their candour were willing to acknowledge that it is not possible to fire on all cylinders forever, and that once burnout hits, it is time to let someone else have a turn. They are both women who have smashed through glass ceilings to reach the summit.

Sky News Contributor Daisy Cousens says “the internet” is to blame for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's resignation. "The internet is responsible ...

The first minister's record wasn't perfect, but her resignation speech made me rueful for what might have been, says journalist Dani Garavelli.

But while Sturgeon’s competence was established before she became first minister, her popularity was a product of timing; she rode into town on a post-referendum high. But the impulse to change the sexual harassment complaints process came from a place of principle; and she stuck to those principles despite the outpouring of vitriol and misogyny they unleashed. “And I cannot in good conscience ask the party to choose an option based on my judgment, whilst not being convinced that I would be there as leader to see it through,” she explained. I admire Sturgeon for not clinging too desperately to her dream of personally delivering independence. My service station sadness was part ruefulness for what might have been, part fear there was no one else capable of filling her shoes. Or resigning gracefully in the interests of his party and his country. Sturgeon changed all that, not merely by being a woman at the helm (after all, there have been two female prime ministers during her time in power), but by actively promoting gender equality. [Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation speech](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/nicola-sturgeon-in-her-own-words-key-moments-resignation-speech) on Wednesday morning, I was hit by a wave of sadness. And if they had acknowledged the SNP’s overwhelming mandate for a second independence referendum, she would not now be facing criticism for failing to secure one. These are qualities absent in the five UK prime ministers who have been in office as she attempted to steer her ship through the choppy waters that their greed and populism created. Nor am I blind to the chequered nature of the first minister’s legacy. There were mistakes there, too, of course, most notably the release of