So Farewell Then Nicola Sturgeon

Politicians come and go, most fitting Robin Day’s characterisation of “here today and gone tomorrow”. Few, despite the retelling of our free and fearless press, leave any void, or indeed anyone hankering after a second act. But then, but then: after Jacinda Ardern threw in the towel as Prime Minister of New Zealand came Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Why would she go? The SNP, which she has led with not so much as a murmur of a challenge to her authority, has consistently been streets ahead of any and all opposition, not only in elections to the Scottish Parliament, but that in Westminster, too. From the moment she took over from Alex Salmond following the Independence referendum, her party has been Number One.

But now she, like Ms Ardern, has had enough. Enough of the sexism, the misogyny, the bad faith smears from those in the press who would not reach as high as her ankles. She has simply told the world “Today I am announcing my intention to step down as First Minister and leader of my party … I will remain in office until my successor is elected”. And that is that.

She continued “I know there will be some across the country who feel upset by this decision and by the fact I am taking it now … Of course, for balance, there will be others who - how can I put this - will cope with the news just fine, such is the beauty of democracy”. Hello right wing press. There was more.

“But for those who do feel shocked, disappointed, perhaps even a bit angry with me, please be in no doubt this is really hard for me … My decision comes from a place of duty and of love. Tough love perhaps but love nevertheless for my party and, above all, for the country”. And more.

“This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment. I know it might seem sudden but I have been wrestling with it … for some weeks … Essentially I’ve been trying to answer two questions. Is carrying on right for me? And, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, for my party and for the independence cause I have devoted my life to?”

Her conclusion? "I have been having to work harder in recent times to convince myself that the answer to either of them when examined deeply is yes, and I’ve reached the conclusion that it’s not”. Also, “The longer any leader is in office, the more opinions about them become fixed and very hard to change, and that matters …I am firmly of the view that there is now majority support for independence in Scotland. But that support needs to be solidified … a new leader would be better able to do this”.

And in parting, she added “If the only question was ‘can I battle on for another few months?’, then the answer is yes, of course I can … But if the question is, ‘can I give this job everything it demands and deserves for another year, let alone for the remainder of this parliamentary term - give it every ounce of energy that it needs in the way that I have strived to do every day for the past eight years?’ - the answer honestly is different”. But she isn’t going away.

“Winning independence is the cause I have dedicated a lifetime to. It is a cause I believe in with every fibre of my being. And it is a cause I am convinced as being won … I intend to be there as it is won, every step of the way”. The self-serving ineptitude displayed during almost 13 years of Tory dominance at Westminster makes her case better than she ever could.

Small wonder those journalists able to speak freely were fulsome with their tributes, not least James Chapman: “When I met [her] in 2015, the Mail had just branded her ‘The Most Dangerous Woman in Britain’ … because of her threat to the Union … Despite this she happily granted an interview and was charm itself”. Peter Geoghegan had a comparison to make.

A comparison with Liz Truss. “The difference between Sturgeon's and Truss's departure speeches really is remarkable … In tone, content, gravitas, poise, the absence of Hallmark card bromides, the leader of a nation of 5million is in a different league to the leader of 60million”. Owen Jones had a warning.

Sort of. “Nicola Sturgeon isn’t just the most impressive female politician in a generation - she’s the most formidable politician we’ve got … A class act who enjoyed popular support which most leaders who’ve served that long could only dream of … History will be kind to her”. It will. Yes, it will. But the implication of his message is also clear: who will take up the baton?

And Robert Peston was on the same page. “That was a truly remarkable resignation statement by Nicola Sturgeon. Whether or not you back her ideas and convictions, she has been one of the most important politicians of this generation. Her call for less irrationality and hysteria in politics should be heeded”. But won’t be when the Westminster press start sneering.

Something which Kathy O’Donnell had already considered. “In my four decades in journalism, Nicola Sturgeon is one of the very few politicians who has consistently impressed me … Abusive responses go to my block list”.

It is sad that she is going. But in today’s politics, all too understandable.

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