Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon resigns after eight years in office
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will resign after eight years in the job.
Key points:
- Nicola Sturgeon will remain in the top job until her party chooses her successor
- Ms Sturgeon has been Scotland’s first minister since 2014
- She was the first female in the role and the longest serving
Ms Sturgeon said she will remain in office until her successor is chosen, but did not put a time frame on that election.
“This decision comes from a deeper and longer term assessment,” Ms Sturgeon said, adding she had been wrestling with the decision for weeks.
“Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it.
“But in truth, that can only be done by anyone for so long. For me it is now in danger of becoming too long.”
“I leave the SNP free to chose the path it believes is the right one, without worrying about the implications for me and my leadership.”
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.
She was Scotland’s first female first minister and the first woman to lead any of the UK’s devolved administrations.
Ms Sturgeon’s outgoing remarks echo those of New Zealand’s former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, who also spoke of knowing when to vacate her post.
Ms Sturgeon turns 53 this year and said she wanted more out of life than simply politics.
“Maybe I want to spend a bit of time on Nicola Sturgeon the human being,” she said.
“Does that sound selfish? I hope it doesn’t.”
The outgoing first minister had recently become embroiled in a row over transgender policies after Scotland passed a Gender Recognition Reform Bill — making it easier for people to change their legal gender — however she assured the press conference that her resignation is not “a reaction to short-term pressures”.
Scottish independence ambitions remain
Ms Sturgeon said she is not leaving politics entirely and will continue with personal campaigns, such as Scottish independence from Britain.
The SNP Party is currently embroiled in a debate over a second referendum on independence after the 2014 bid was narrowly voted down by the public.
The UK government has thus far refused to allow a second referendum, however Ms Sturgeon spent her tenure championing a continuation of efforts.
“The cause of independence is so much bigger than any one individual,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“I firmly believe that my successor will lead Scotland to independence.”
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.
ABC/ Reuters
