After eight years in the office, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is apparently planning to step down.
The SNP leader is anticipated to make the shocking disclosure today at a press conference held at Bute House, her official house in Edinburgh.
The first minister will remain in office until a successor is chosen, but Beth Rigby, political editor for Sky News, said there was “not an apparent candidate,” presenting “major problems” for the future of her party.
Although the reasons for her resignation are yet unknown, SNP insiders have told Beth Rigby that the first minister “had had enough.”
The news left SNP MP Alison Thewliss “very devastated,” she added, adding that “Nicola has been a wonderful leader.”
Stewart McDonald, a member of her party, described Ms. Sturgeon as “the outstanding public servant of the devolution period” and said that her departure would be “an huge loss” to the nation and party.
Kirsten Oswald, another SNP MP, hailed her as “We’ve been so privileged to have someone with her talents at the helm, she continued, calling it “amazing”. I’m really sorry she’s taking a step back.”
The longest-serving first minister since devolution to Holyrood, Ms. Sturgeon assumed control of the party and the government in 2014, succeeding Alex Salmond.
In her capacity as first minister, she has won every election and pushed for Scottish independence, advocating for a second referendum on the issue.
Along with her vehement opposition to Brexit, this has put her at odds with the Conservative-led UK government, which supports keeping the UK united and has refused to allow for a second referendum.
According to a senior Labour source, her choice demonstrated that the independence campaign was “all finished” and that the SNP had run out of options after 15 years of futility.
Several problems have arisen for Ms. Sturgeon in recent months, including party divisions over her stance on transgender rights and her gender recognition bill.
