The region’s political representatives have reacted to this week’s shock resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The bombshell announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday morning, with the hunt already underway to find Ms Sturgeon’s successor as SNP party leader and First Minister.
The Glasgow Southside MSP has been leading the country as First Minister since 2014, with the news coming amid growing controversy over the Scottish Government’s gender reform laws, as well as continuing debate over the future steps in the drive for independence.
Ms Sturgeon will remain in place until her successor is appointed by the SNP, with that process likely to be confirmed at the party’s special conference next month.
Announcing her decision, Ms Sturgeon said: “Being First Minister of Scotland is, in my opinion, the best job in the world. It is a privilege beyond measure – one that has sustained and inspired me, in good times and through the toughest hours of my toughest days.
“Since my first moments in the job, I have believed that part of serving well would be to know – almost instinctively – when the time is right to make way for someone else. And when that time comes, to have the courage to do so. In my head and my heart I know that time is now.
“I have been First Minister for over eight years, and I was Deputy First Minister for the best part of eight years before that. These jobs are a privilege but they are also – rightly – hard. And, it is only possible to give absolutely everything to a job of this nature for so long.
“Given the nature and scale of the challenges the country faces, I feel that duty, first and foremost, to our country – to ensure that it does have the energy of leadership it needs, not just today, but through the years that remain of this parliamentary term.”
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said: “Nicola Sturgeon has served Scotland and the SNP with distinction. As the first female First Minister, she has also been the longest serving incumbent in the role. Both of these are stunning achievements in themselves.
“She has shown great courage and an unrivalled political instinct that we have come to know in taking the difficult decision to stand down.
“Being in the front line of politics takes its toll, not only on the individuals but also on people’s families and friends.No one has borne that more than Nicola Sturgeon, not least as she led our nation through the uncharted waters of a global pandemic.
“Nicola Sturgeon has been an outstanding leader of the SNP and Scotland’s finest First Minister, particularly during its darkest hours. The First Minister has an array of remarkable achievements in government; she has been a remarkable leader of the party, of government and of Scotland.”
Stirling MP Alyn Smith added: “Her leadership through Brexit and the pandemic was exemplary, and she imbued the best qualities a politician should possess: warmth, wit, empathy and vision. She steps down with her head held high, and I know she won’t be lost to us in the future.”
Ms Sturgeon elected not to endorse a successor, although she did back a local sporting hero, with Dunblane tennis star Andy Murray throwing his hat into the ring on social media.
Murray cheekily tweeted: “Interesting vacancy. Was looking to get into politics when I finish playing...”.
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart was more reserved on Ms Sturgeon’s tenure, saying: “Whatever the fundamental differences of our parties may be, it is right that we recognise the fact that political leadership is always demanding and does take its toll on the person and their family, and for this it was right that the current First Minister had recognised that now is the time to go.
“We cannot however, ignore that she has presided over a decade of division and decay in Scotland.
“Instead of doing the right thing and attempting to unite the country in the wake of the 2014 referendum, Nicola Sturgeon refused to accept the result.
”The SNP Scottish Government must now use this opportunity to focus on the Scottish people’s real priorities on the ground; especially the cost-of-living crisis, properly supporting our NHS and doing all it can to rebuild our public services.”
