Nicola Sturgeon has hailed the Daily Record's Our Kids, Our Future campaign as she vows to commit to tackling youth violence in Scotland.
15.02.2023 - 23:27 / dailyrecord.co.uk
After years of popularity and electoral success, several problems emerged in the last few months of Nicola Sturgeon's tenure as First Minister.
The SNP has been almost untouchable throughout Sturgeon’s reign - emerging as the largest party in eight different elections under her leadership.
Less than a year after she became First Minister, the Nationalists achieved a landslide result in Scotland at the 2015 General Election, picking up 56 of the 59 seats.
Although they lost some seats in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, 2017 general election and 2017 council elections, they remained the biggest party by some distance.
The SNP would go on to gain seats in the 2019 European elections, 2019 general election, 2021 Scottish election and 2022 council elections.
And so much of their success was down to Sturgeon. Her communication skills during the covid pandemic won praise.
But Sturgeon’s plan for independence hasn’t gone smoothly.
She suffered the knockback of the Supreme Court ruling and faced criticism for her plan to use the next general election as a de facto independence referendum.
It has divided opinion in the party so much that the SNP are holding a special conference next month to hammer out their strategy.
The gender recognition reform has not been great for her either. The UK Government’s blocking of the bill initially caused an increase in support for independence, but the Isla Bryson and Tiffany Scott cases have hampered Sturgeon’s reputation.
The recent strikes have also caused her problems. The Scottish Government has been criticised for not giving higher pay offers to various professions and for not preventing disruption.
On top of this, Ian Blackford was reportedly ousted as the SNP’s Westminster leader in
Nicola Sturgeon has hailed the Daily Record's Our Kids, Our Future campaign as she vows to commit to tackling youth violence in Scotland.
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Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as first minister.The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) made the announcement during a last-minute news conference at Bute House in Edinburgh at 11am GMT yesterday (February 15).Speaking to the press, Sturgeon said it had been a “privilege” to serve as Scotland’s first minister for the past eight years, calling it “the very best job in the world”.She explained that her decision to step down was “not a reaction to short term pressures” but came from “a deeper and longer-term assessment”.Sturgeon is the longest-serving first minister, and the only female to have occupied the role.Writing on Twitter, Mogwai‘s Stuart Braithwaite said he was “devastated” over Sturgeon’s resignation. “It felt wonderful to feel genuinely proud of the person leading our country,” he continued.“I wish her all the best for the future and thank her for her everything she has done for Scotland.”Really devastated about @NicolaSturgeon resigning.
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Former US president Donald Trump has said the "wonderful people of Scotland are much better off" without Nicola Sturgeon in office.
Nicola Sturgeon has described the environment for women in politics as “harsh and hostile”.
Nicola Sturgeon has ended her silence following a press conference this morning where she announced she would resign as First Minister of Scotland.
Martin Compston has hailed Nicola Sturgeon as "the most capable politician in the UK of the last decade", following her resignation.
Nicola Sturgeon dodged a question on a police investigation into SNP campaign funds at the conclusion of her dramatic press conference today.
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The leader of Falkirk Council has paid tribute to the "incredible achievements" of Scotland's longest-serving First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned earlier today (Wednesday).
West Lothian's politicians have been reacting to the shock resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this morning.
Nicola Sturgeon's decision to step down as First Minister and SNP leader has stunned the world of Scottish politics.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced her intention to resign as Scottish First Minister after nearly 10 years in the role.
Janey Godley says Nicola Sturgeon has 'earned the rest' as the First Minister is set to resign.
A taxpayer-funded firm set up by Nicola Sturgeon to help children in care splurged £100,000 on SNP-linked lobbyists.
Up to 30,000 people are said to have cancelled their SNP membership in response to Nicola Sturgeon’s gender reforms and the stalling of independence.