Politics Scotland | Yousaf Resigns After Hours

[Black Sheep]

Nicola Sturgeon is the longest-serving first minister in Scottish history and will step down having clocked up more than eight years in the role.

During her time in office, she's seen dramatic transitions of power in the UK and across the world, as well as seismic events and election wins.

• In a press conference in Edinburgh, she said there was much more "intensity" and "brutality" to the life of a politician than there was in previous years
• She recently clashed with the Westminster government over gender reform laws and has faced pressure within the SNP over her tactics to deliver Scottish independence
• But Sturgeon insisted her decision was not a reaction to recent issues, adding that she'd been "wrestling" with the question of her future for weeks
• Sturgeon will remain FM until her successor is elected by the SNP and she will stay as an MSP until at least the next Holyrood election in May 2026

I'm kind of stunned. Compared to other major UK politicians she always seemed like someone whose heart was in the right place, even if I didn't buy into all her policies.

I don't know if she just got tired of fighting, because she has seemed like a lone voice on some big issues for a while now, or if something else is going on. No idea what impact this will have on the SNP or politics generally either. I'll be watching the news (and this thread) with interest and some trepidation.

 

[Franco Pinion]

She gave an interview 3 weeks ago stating she had "plenty left in the tank"

A source close to Ms Sturgeon told the BBC that she had "had enough".

So obviously something has forced her out, either internal SNP fighting or something that will publicly come out and damage her.

 

[Tom]

Surprised by this given what was said only a few weeks ago.

The truth is though, the things she has had influence over have been a shambles. It should really be a piss-easy job - the SNP have got strong support and no real opposition.

And the one thing that stands in the way of their independence dream is......that the Scottish don't want independence. So how do you go about winning those people over? The SNP went with "blame Westminster" instead of trying "be competent". Same as every other government and politician.

However, she did well during the Covid pandemic, imo.

Plenty must be happening behind the scenes for her to resign, and we await the murky details.

 

[Legion]

Humza Yousaf has won the SNP leadership race and will now likely replace Nicola Sturgeon as the First Minister of Scotland following a vote in Holyrood on Tuesday.

Yousaf – along with his leadership rivals Ash Regan and Kate Forbes – has spent weeks battling to become the next first minister.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

Absolutely wild that Humza Yousaf has failed in all his previous roles and has somehow ended up First Minister.

 

[Tom]

I had an argument with a SNP supporting friend that the party are essentially a coalition of independence supporters with a wide range of different views on domestic policies. He argued that's not true and that there is a fixed centre left alignment, but I don't buy that at all, especially when looking at their record in office in Holyrood.

If they did achieve their dream of independence (though that seems even further away to me now that it was when the 2019 and 2021 General and Scottish election results came in), it's clear to me that the party would disband/split according to political views.

I agree that Humza Yousaf is absolutely hopeless and has failed across the board during his career.

 

[Ghost]

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1643555230624231424

Quelle surprise.

That's one hell of a police presence for financial / funding crimes. Looks like it's been cordoned off for forensics.

 

[Crabtree]

Quelle surprise.

That's one hell of a police presence for financial / funding crimes. Looks like it's been cordoned off for forensics.

Do we know what the core of the accusation is? Is it, that he took money raised to campaign for independence and used for other elections?

Or is it a fingers in the cookie jar moment?

 

[Cassie]

Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the SNP.

Police confirmed a 52-year-old woman was taken into custody as a suspect and is being questioned by detectives.

It follows the arrest and release of her husband, ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell in April.

A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon confirmed she was cooperating with the investigation.

He said: "Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.

"Nicola has consistently said she would cooperate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so."

 

[Gemma]

Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested.

I couldn't understand why she wasn't arrested at same time as her husband.