NICOLA Sturgeon’s last First Minister’s Questions was met with mostly heartfelt tributes from her fellow party leaders.
The First Minister held back tears as she delivered one last thank you to the people of Scotland, saying it was a “profound honour” and the “privilege of my lifetime”.
Her statement was met with rapturous applause before her fellow party leaders took to the stage for some final words.
Here is how they paid tribute to Sturgeon, after eight years as First Minister and 16 years in government.
Douglas Ross
Douglas Ross’s statement was less fiery than many might have expected.
The Scottish Tory leader started off by saying that he and Sturgeon have been "adversaries rather than allies".
He then paid tribute to Sturgeon's long career spanning back to 1999, a longevity he said that many can only dream of.
He added that "we have all lived through the Sturgeon era of politics” and that Sturgeon had "for better or worse made a mark on the country".
Ross said that he and Sturgeon “are not friends” and quipped that he is yet to receive £100 for a bet about whether he would outlast her as party leader.
He also said that he has asked a total of 256 questions of Sturgeon at FMQs and "once or twice" got an answer.
But Ross also recognised Sturgeon's dedication to the job and that she “has been a role model that women and girls can aspire to."
He also wished her well for the future.
Anas Sarwar
Anas Sarwar said he first met Sturgeon as a teenager.
The Scottish Labour leader placed on the record that he respected Nicola Sturgeon and her more than 20 years of public service.
He said: “Even her harshest critics would accept that Nicole Sturgeon is an able and formidable politician."
Sarwar added that while they have “disagreed passionately” at times, he had not for a moment doubted her love for Scotland.
He also pointed out their shared deep connection for the southside of Glasgow, the “most diverse part of Scotland”, and indicated this might be behind their “consensus” in challenging the rising levels of prejudice in society.
Sarwar also agreed that the pandemic will define her time as First Minister.
Patrick Harvie
Patrick Harvie also led on one of his first memories of Sturgeon.
The Scottish Greens co-leader said it was in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, when she argued against the discrimination of gay people.
Harvie said she has had that same commitment for trans people, and has been an "ally".
'Nicola Sturgeon's commitment to be an ally to marginalised people remains part of her character as a politician' @patrickharvie pays tribute to the First Minister after she delivered her final speech to the Scottish Parliament pic.twitter.com/lVHN5cAXIR
— The National (@ScotNational) March 23, 2023
He praised Sturgeon for inviting the Greens into government as well as her leadership during the pandemic.
He said: “I thank both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney for their service to Scotland.
“And my highest hope for them is that they continue to find ways to infuriate all the right people.”
