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).
In the wake of the news, SNP Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn has also called for all parties to take the opportunity to try to "de-polarise public debate" and pledged that, as leader of Falkirk Council and the SNP locally she would seek to "reach out across the divide".
In her resignation speech, Ms Sturgeon said while being First Minister had been the "privilege of my life" she had come to feel that the time was right for her to step down from a job where you are "never off duty" and where there is "virtually no privacy".
"All in all – and for a long time without it being apparent – it takes its toll, on you and on those around you," she said.
She also made clear that one of the factors behind her decision was the fact that she feels a new leader must be someone who "can reach across the divide" in a debate that has become increasingly polarised.
She said: "I feel more and more each day that the fixed opinions people increasingly have about me – as I say, some fair, others little more than caricature – are being used as barriers to reasoned debate."
Following the First Minister's press conference at Bute House, Cllr Meiklejohn said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s dedication to her role, first and foremost, as a representative of communities, and as First Minister of Scotland has been clear for all to see.
"She has served Scotland with true passion and commitment throughout her career. As Scotland’s first female, and longest serving FM, these are incredible achievements in themselves.
“Nicola has led us through the darkest days in modern Scotland’s history.
"Her strength and courage resonated across Scotland at a time when fear and hopelessness was abundant. Her resolute determination to support communities, people and businesses across the country has seen trust in both the SNP and herself as First Minister at a consistently high level.
“As the First Minister herself has said, her resignation also gives us all an opportunity as politicians to reflect and consider the current nature of and culture in politics.
"All parties have an opportunity to try to de-polarise public debate, to focus more on issues, and to reset the tone and tenor of our discourse. As leader of Falkirk Council, and a local SNP political leader, we will seek to do that and reach across the divide.
“I can only reflect on the First Minister’s words as both a woman in politics and a human being. Front line politics takes its toll on individuals, their families, and friends and it can be difficult to find positivity at a time of such hardship.
"But the remarkable achievements of the First Minister in government and in politics have served us all well. We respect her decision while reflecting on the loss of her leadership, energy, and passion for the betterment of, and her love for, Scotland and all her people.”
The Conservative councillor James Bundy also commented on the news, saying: "Sturgeon’s legacy will be that she prioritised separatist interests at the expense of Scotland’s interests. Time to do better for Scotland.”
Anne Hannah, Councillor for Lower Braes and Leader of the Labour Group, said: "For the past 15 years as Deputy First Minister then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has been a very able politician, a skilled communicator, and a passionate advocate for a separate Scotland. While I disagree with her politically on most topics, as a fellow human being I wish her well in the future.
"For the past 15 years the SNP administration has been responsible for reducing funding to local government for essential services, and for ringfencing what little money they give to local authorities. The result - locally elected representatives cannot properly protect local communities. Even local authorities under SNP control have started to challenge Holyrood priorities in defence of the needs of their local areas.
"Will a change of First Minister make a difference? I hope so. Local communities need local services."
