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”.
“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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7 comments:
Here's a different view:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2023/02/nicola-sturgeon-used-and-discarded/
Sturgeon may be gone but the issue will never completely go. Anymore than it has gone from Ireland and Wales. Even with the passage of 900 years.
Sorry Tim, but this is nonsense. Viewed from anything other than the English/'unionist' perspective, Sturgeon has been rather less than whelming.
She has missed open goal after open goal in pursuing the aim of independence, despite having mandate after mandate. She spent the time after the Brexit referendum trying to stop England getting what it voted for instead of using the result as the 'change in material circumstances' she said was necessary for a fresh referendum on independence; her cohort in Westminster has - with two or three honourable exceptions - been far more keen on 'settling in' rather than 'settling up' (many of those MPs - and MSPs - are in the mould of NewLabour, from whence many of them came when they realised that the Labour gravy train in Scotland had been permanently derailed in 2011); she has been obsessed with marginal issues such as so-called 'trans rights' to the exclusion of far more pressing matters; she has packed the upper echelons of the SNP with her own clique; and she connived with the policing and legal establishment in Scotland to try to jail her predecessor to get him out of the picture.
Sturgeon's factionalism has meant that the dial on independence has not moved upwards one single percentage point in the 8+ years she was in power. Sadly, that same clique will provide her successor, and means that the cause of independence will have to be carried on from outside the SNP.
Why do you think that the London hacks are praising her? She was never anything more than a devolutionist, and so the 'union' was always going to be safe with her.
I doubt she's losing any sleep over the Express coverage.
"Nigel Farage names Nicola Sturgeon as 'the most unpleasant person' he has ever met"
"Donald Trump says 'good riddance' to Sturgeon as he lashes out at 'woke' SNP leader"
Arnold,
They don't like women, do they?
But with references like that she could stand for PM in half the countries in the world and wipe the floor with the opposition.
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/arseholes-delighted-20230215231664
THE most repulsive political commentators in Britain are delighted to hear that Nicola Sturgeon has resigned, it has emerged.
Bertie, I'm not sure what you use for a reference, but I suspect she'd have something a little more glowing in her back pocket.
I do wonder some times.
Nicola Sturgeon has resigned because the long-running Police investigation into the SNP's finances is about to move in. It needs to do so before Peter Murrell has charge of the election of his wife's successor.
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