Sturgeon steps down as Scottish First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon today announced her resignation from her position as the First Minister of Scotland after eight years in charge.
The First Minister held a conference at 11am at Bute House in Edinburgh to announce her decision. Sturgeon first took over the job in November 2014 after Alex Salmond resigned.
Nicola Sturgeon waves from a window, after holding a press conference, as people gather outside of Bute House
In her conference, Sturgeon said: “Being First Minister of Scotland is the best job in the world. It is a privilege beyond measure, one that has sustained and inspired me in good times and the toughest hours of my toughest days.
“I’m proud to stand here as the first female and longest standing incumbent of this office and I’m very proud of what has been achieved in my years in Bute House.
“From my very first moment in the job, I have believed that the art of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else. And when that time came, to have the courage to do so.
“In my head and my heart, I know that time is now and that it is right for me, my party, and for the country. So today, I am announcing my intention to step down as First minister and leader of my party.”
Sturgeon also admitted that she has been deeply assessing this decision for a long time and has wrestled with it for weeks now.
“I know that some across the country will be upset, I’m also aware that there will be others who shall cope with the news just fine. Such is the beauty of democracy.
“My decision comes from a place of duty and love, tough love perhaps, but love nonetheless for my party and above all for my country.
“This decision is not a reaction to short term pressures, I know there are difficult issues facing the government right now, but when is that ever not the case?
“I am firmly of the view that there is a majority support for independence in Scotland. But that support has to be solidified, and to achieve that, we must reach across the divide in Scottish politics. My judgement is that a new leader will be better able to do this. Someone about whom the mind of almost everyone in the country is not already made up for better or worse, as I now am.
“Scotland is a changed country since 2014 and in many ways, for the better: Young people from deprived backgrounds have never had a better chance of going to university than now; Our investment to double early learning and childcare is transforming opportunities for young children and enabling more women to return to work; Baby box is enshrining our aspiration that every child should have the best start in life; More progressive approach to taxation.”
Sturgeon confirmed that she will remain in office until a successor is elected. She said: “While I am stepping down from leadership, I’m not leaving politics.”
The Irvine-born politician says she will remain committed to the fight for Scottish independence and “the promise” of a Child Care campaign set up by the SNP. Sturgeon ended her announcement, as she said: “To all of the people of Scotland, whether you voted for me or not, being your first minister has been the privilege of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It wouldn’t be a Sturgeon speech without a jab at the Conservative party which she supplied in the questions following her announcement. After being asked by a BBC reporter if she now owed Douglas Ross £100 after losing a bet, Sturgeon replied: “I’ll let Mr Ross have the bet, my party will keep winning the elections.”