After Tuesday’s announcement from Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister, that she will resign, five people from across Scotland share their reaction – and what they think her legacy will be. ‘She will be remembered for her progressive push’
“I am sorry to see her leave. While I might not have agreed with everything she did, I think her relentless push to reduce inequality, improve the NHS, and expand the rights of women and transgender individuals was laudable. I think she will be remembered for this push, and for the general leftwards direction of both the SNP and Scotland. “I hope that the push to reduce inequality and expand rights are maintained. I would like to see more work done on the green transition, hopefully to reach net zero sooner than the current target. And I hope to see Scotland escape the endless, undemocratic chaos of Westminster.” Duncan Adamson, 27, postdoctoral researcher in Linlithgow, voted SNP in 2019 ‘I am pleased she stepped down’ “I believe Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are far more interested in pursuing their independence agenda and picking fights than with effectively running the country in the best interests of the population as a whole. Their policies not well thought through and their party tactics divisive. I also strongly disagreed with her gender recognition reform bill and the uncompromising, tin-eared approach she displayed to such a complex issue. “I think politics in Scotland has become increasingly toxic, polarised and dogmatic under the SNP. While I admired her handling of the pandemic in Scotland, and her pro-EU stance, I am pleased that Nicola Sturgeon stepped down today, and hope this is the start of a more unified, rational and respectful chapter in our history.” Gina, 36, administrator in Glasgow, voted Labour in 2019 ‘Her leadership during the pandemic was exemplary’
“I am very sorry to see Sturgeon go. I am English and moved to Scotland in 2016 following the Brexit referendum. I wanted to live in a country that supported the EU. Sturgeon has always been clear that the best option for Scotland was independence within the EU. Her leadership during the pandemic was exemplary. She personally stood up day after day and told it as it was. “I just hope we get someone who continues to make sure we get another referendum that leads to independence, because I think that’s the best course for Scotland. I hope we don’t get some mealy mouthed man in a suit.” Emma Joanne Truscott, 64, retired teacher in Balloch, voted SNP in 2019 ‘Her obsession with independence has been to the detriment of Scots’ “She is a consummate political operator (not really a compliment in any other line of work) but she is also hugely divisive. Her obsession with independence after the 2014 referendum was lost has been to the detriment of Scots and UK citizens as a whole. “The decline in healthcare, education and living standards on her watch are a disgrace and she should be ashamed of herself for focusing on ephemeral issues like trans rights and independence while so many of the devolved services are in crisis. I do, however, think she did brilliantly when the Queen died at Balmoral, and compared to some she has to deal with in the Scottish Labour and Scottish Conservative parties, she was a colossus – albeit a malign one.” Spencer, 39, property adviser in Ross-shire, voted Conservative in 2019 ‘She’s taken a cue from Jacinda Ardern’
“That was not expected. I think she’s taken a cue from Jacinda Ardern and decided the relentless beating you get being a top politician is too much. Better to get out while you’re sane and ahead in the ratings than wait till your own party ousts you. “I think she’s raised the profile of Scotland as a political entity in Westminster and in Europe. Before Nicola, there was little understanding in other countries that the UK is made of four nations. More than any of her predecessors, she has been a visible, stateswoman-like presence. “I’m on the fence regarding independence, probably favouring the union, but she has given me pause for serious thought. I might have voted ‘yes’ with her at the helm. But I think this has probably signalled the suppression of the ‘independence movement’ for a good while.” Carol Smith, 58, business consultant and artist in Edinburgh, Labour voter in 2019