Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Nicola Sturgeon caused a lot of confusion initially on Wednesday announcing her resignation as first minister of Scotland. The announcement was met with both celebrations in Glasgow where crowds were seen cheering her decision, and disappointment my members of her party the Scottish National Party (SNP).
While announcing her resignation she said “In my head and my heart, I know that time is now.” “That it is right for me, for my party, and for the country.”
“And so today, I am announcing my intention to step down as First Minister and leader of my party.
She then went on to say “I have asked the National Secretary of the SNP to begin the process of electing a new party leader, and I will remain in office until my successor is elected.
Sturgeon was born in Irvine, Scotland, in 1970, and grew up in Dreghorn, North Ayrshire. She joined the SNP and became a member of the party’s National Executive Committee in 1993. In 1999, she was elected to the Scottish Parliament as a representative of the Glasgow region, and she has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) ever since.
Sturgeon rose through the ranks of the SNP, serving as the party’s Deputy Leader from 2004 to 2014. In 2014, she became the 1st female to be elected as the leader of the SNP, after the resignation of Alex Salmond. As leader, Sturgeon has focused on promoting Scottish independence.
Her recent controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill drew much concern in many parts of the UK with concerns of ‘gender tourism’ to Scotland as the age to change gender from male to female or vice versa, would be brought down from 18 to 16, which prompted a response from Westminster.
Other divisions also exist in Scotland regarding her push for Scottish independence from the UK.
