Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as First Minister and leader of the SNP will see one of Scotland’s most formidable political actors leave centre stage.
View email online | | | | | | | | | | | Feb 17, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | Neil McIntosh | | Editor of The Scotsman |
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Hello from The Scotsman. When I wrote at the start of the month that the First Minister was "in trouble with this" - "this" being the row over gender recognition, please don't think for a second that I was expecting to see Nicola Sturgeon resign within the fortnight. Other commentators have quickly claimed to have offered foresight on her decision, but in truth nobody saw this coming, not yet. Thus, it was all the bigger a news story this week. Our package of analysis and comment on Wednesday was, I believe, unrivalled. Unlike other titles, we are happy to share a breath of views, from Brian Wilson's trenchant political epitaph for "the First Minister of Failure" to Laura Waddell's salute to Sturgeon's "extraordinary winning streak" and "her exemplary grit" in the face of personal abuse. The row over gender recognition played a big part, noted Susan Dalgety, in Sturgeon's downfall. "If only you had listened," wrote Dalgety, "to the women in your own party" and others who had warned of the dangers of the Scottish Government's plans, which were quickly - and starkly - illustrated by the grim Isla Bryson case. Meanwhile, Christine Graham MSP hailed Sturgeon's wit and kindness, but Ian Murray MP said her resignation offered a chance to move away from divisive politics, saying: "In her resignation statement, the First Minister also rightly identified the toxicity in today’s politics. But hasn’t she been at the forefront of causing most of it?" The Scotsman leader column's view was also clear: Sturgeon was right to resign, with her goal of independence further away than it has been in years because of her Government's legislative and managerial incompetence. That's something an incoming First Minister will still have to deal with - and will do so without Sturgeon's undoubted presentational strengths. She will be a hard act to follow, although today Joyce McMillan today has some ideas for whoever gets the job. We will continue to keep an eye on the race to become the next First Minister - as I type, only health secretary Humza Yousaf has put his hand up, but I'd expect more to follow over the weekend, and the next six weeks should bring an interesting and important debate on the future of the SNP, the Scottish Government and - by definition - the Union. And if work, or life, has meant you've simply missed it all, don't forget Saturday's Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday will bring a great mix of analysis, perspective on events and - I promise - an interesting exclusive, or two, alongside the usual excellent package of interviews, arts, reviews and the all-important 7-day TV guide. They will be the perfect accompaniment to your weekend, whatever you're doing with it. Neil McIntosh Editor, The Scotsman | |
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