Sturgeon Resigns

[marinello59]

That’s it. The end of an era.

[neil7908]

Wow, that's a huge shock. Plenty on here will be delighted.

[Berwickhibby]

Ya Dancer…good riddance

[Mon Dieu4]

Didn't have that on my bingo card for today

[Bristolhibby]

Ya Dancer…good riddance

I’m just glad we can put the personal “wee nippy” and “Jimmy Krankie” shoot to bed.

Intent is the same, just someone else to hold the tiller till we get there.

J

[He's here!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64647907

Been strongly rumoured but still a surprise given how recently she claimed to have plenty left in the tank.

Wonder if there's more to this than initially meets the eye.

[danhibees1875]

Don't necessarily agree with all of her policies, but she's always came across as capable and well-meaning, a good leader of the country all in all.

She was also warm and engaging to talk to when I met her.

I'd be surprised if she was replaced with someone as good, and therefore it's a loss for Scottish politics IMO.

[Ozyhibby]

I’d like to say that I hope that someone like Stewart Macdonald is standing to replace her.[emoji1696]


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[Pretty Boy]

I think those who support remaining in the union will be happy and possibly even relieved at this news. She is by far and away the most talented politician in the SNP ranks and was a formidable opponent to many.

It's an opportunity for the yes side as well though. A campaign that has gone stale and seems to be losing momentum needs a shot in the arm and perhaps internal pressure saying as much has led to this decision.

Love her or loathe her there is little doubt she has led us through some turbulent times and as said above it's closing a chapter on the Salmond/Sturgeon era.

[archie]

It just shows how quickly things can shift in politics. Three months ago I would have said she was bombproof.

[Zambernardi1875]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64647907

Been strongly rumoured but still a surprise given how recently she claimed to have plenty left in the tank.

Wonder if there's more to this than initially meets the eye.

She deserves a medal for the amount of ***** she’s put up with from the Union machine

[Dalianwanda]

The one leader in uk politics, that most people over here I speak to, held in high regard.......Its a loss for Scotland, no doubt.

[makaveli1875]

Thank **** for that

[JimBHibees]

She deserves a medal for the amount of ***** she’s put up with from the Union machine

Agree the machine wins how depressing

[James310]

I’d like to say that I hope that someone like Stewart Macdonald is standing to replace her.[emoji1696]


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If the rumours are true the leaked emails from MacDonald have a part to play in tbe resignation. Could be a load of rubbish though.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Thank you for your service. A change of direction is now required I just hope there is a suitable figure of substance out there to take up the reigns.

[HibeeSince85]

I'm curious as to the timing but it is possible she has just ran out of energy. She led the country through some historic times and for the most part I feel she did well.

I wonder what direction the SNP and indy movement will take now with the new leadership.

[marinello59]

It may be a case of her leaving after the next election rather than straight away.

[Crunchie]

I think those who support remaining in the union will be happy and possibly even relieved at this news. She is by far and away the most talented politician in the SNP ranks and was a formidable opponent to many.

It's an opportunity for the yes side as well though. A campaign that has gone stale and seems to be losing momentum needs a shot in the arm and perhaps internal pressure saying as much has led to this decision.

Love her or loathe her there is little doubt she has led us through some turbulent times and as said above it's closing a chapter on the Salmond/Sturgeon era.
Joanna Cherry is a far better politician imo.

[Stairway 2 7]

By far the best leader in uk politics right now, I believe she genuinely tried to do good which is uncommon now.

Her position was getting Unattainable now though. She was too disliked by too many to win any referendum. Looking forward to a bounce for yes going forward now that a lot of the ammo is gone.

I wouldn't feel sorry for her, leaders make the big cash post leadership

[Crunchie]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64647907

Been strongly rumoured but still a surprise given how recently she claimed to have plenty left in the tank.

Wonder if there's more to this than initially meets the eye.
Without a doubt something has happened.

[SHODAN]

If anyone on the right gets in I'll be voting Green or spoiling my ballot. There's no point in independence if we're just going to be UK lite.

[JimBHibees]

Without a doubt something has happened.

Maybe just had enough after a large number of years in charge. The amount of abuse will likely have taken its toll.

[SteveHFC]

That’s a shock.

[hibsbollah]

A fantastically talented politician. Her leadership on social issues, particularly in terms of welcoming immigrants to Scotland, stood in stark relief to other world leaders’ ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ approach.

[DH1875]

Why? I mean, why do it now?

[JimBHibees]

A fantastically talented politician. Her leadership on social issues, particularly in terms of welcoming immigrants to Scotland, stood in stark relief to other world leaders’ ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ approach.

Totally agree

[He's here!]

I'm curious as to the timing but it is possible she has just ran out of energy. She led the country through some historic times and for the most part I feel she did well.

I wonder what direction the SNP and indy movement will take now with the new leadership.

It may be she won't stand down immediately but it's the gender self-ID fiasco which has done for her. She got that badly wrong despite many initially believing it was no big deal. She could pretty much ride out any other policy mess by throwing the independence blanket over it but this was the one which really set her against public opinion.

Macwhirter clearly knew what was coming by penning this prior to the news breaking:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/could-it-soon-be-game-over-for-nicola-sturgeon/

[Crunchie]

Maybe just had enough after a large number of years in charge. The amount of abuse will likely have taken its toll.
No chance, only a couple of weeks ago she had plenty left in the tank. GB news ripping into her right now :greengrin

[GreenGray]

No chance, only a couple of weeks ago she had plenty left in the tank. GB news ripping into her right now :greengrin

GB news? Deary me, best ignored that cesspit.


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[hibee_girl]

No chance, only a couple of weeks ago she had plenty left in the tank. GB news ripping into her right now :greengrin

Dan Wootton will be claiming it as some sort of personal victory.

[Ozyhibby]

Joanna Cherry is a far better politician imo.

Your joking surely? A more thin skinned politician I’ve never seen.


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[He's here!]

Joanna Cherry is a far better politician imo.

It probably needs to be someone who did not support gender self-ID, of which there aren't many SNP MSPs. Kate Forbes didn't vote and is against the bill but would she want the role having so recently had her first child?

The alternative is someone prepared to redraft the legislation and admit it was an almighty blunder.

[Hibbyradge]

This will probably be good news for Labour in Scotland.

She was well liked.

[Ozyhibby]

It probably needs to be someone who did not support gender self-ID, of which there aren't many SNP MSPs. Kate Forbes didn't vote and is against the bill but would she want the role having so recently had her first child?

The alternative is someone prepared to redraft the legislation and admit it was an almighty blunder.

I doubt that is the reason she has gone. This is more about the de-facto referendum imo.


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[easty]

A fantastically talented politician. Her leadership on social issues, particularly in terms of welcoming immigrants to Scotland, stood in stark relief to other world leaders’ ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ approach.

:agree:

[Ozyhibby]

Jim Sillars on sky putting the boot in. Sad man.


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[Stairway 2 7]

I doubt that is the reason she has gone. This is more about the de-facto referendum imo.


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It was a mad idea but surely not gone for that. There is clearly some truth in splits in Westminster but unsure if it would be that, it's very sudden so we may find out more

[He's here!]

I doubt that is the reason she has gone. This is more about the de-facto referendum imo.


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Internally there are clearly major schisms on how to try and keep the independence show on the road but the public pasting she's taken over gender reforms was unprecedented and something she seemed unable to counter.

[archie]

This will be really interesting. The SNP has had three leaders since 1990. But there's no obvious successor. So how it plays out will be rea lly important on so many levels.

[marinello59]

I doubt that is the reason she has gone. This is more about the de-facto referendum imo.


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Possibly. It was a crazy idea.

[Crunchie]

It was a mad idea but surely not gone for that. There is clearly some truth in splits in Westminster but unsure if it would be that, it's very sudden so we may find out more
She ruked with an iron rod, now it has snapped there will be a fair amount of dirt come out over the coming weeks. Those who held her on a pedestal will be in for a shock imo.

[hibby rae]

A fantastically talented politician. Her leadership on social issues, particularly in terms of welcoming immigrants to Scotland, stood in stark relief to other world leaders’ ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ approach.

100%. One of the most talented of her generation.

Those saying it has something to do with the GRA I'd just say that's wishful thinking, post hoc ergo propter hoc.

The Newsagent podcast stated after they interviewed her there had been rumours kicking about for a while that she was considering it, after the length of time she had spent as leader she had begun to feel jaded and felt a change would be needed in the long run.

I doubt they will go for a more right-leaning leader, the SNP are smart enough to know how to win in Scotland, it's the reason they took away Labours' base.

[SHODAN]

The only mainstream party leader in my adulthood to stick up for migrants and trans people. Absolutely sickening. Feel really disenfranchised and hopeless right now.

[LaMotta]

It probably needs to be someone who did not support gender self-ID, of which there aren't many SNP MSPs. Kate Forbes didn't vote and is against the bill but would she want the role having so recently had her first child?

The alternative is someone prepared to redraft the legislation and admit it was an almighty blunder.

My guess is one of Keith Brown or Angus Robertson......

[CentreForward]

Ian Blackford the Hibby to take over? Well he has just resigned as leader in Parliament so maybe all part of the plan ?!

[TrumpIsAPeado]

This will probably be good news for Labour in Scotland.

She was well liked.

Problem with Labour is that they don't have a single politician in their ranks that is "well liked" in Scotland. The party leader prefers the Wakefords over the Corbyns.

Labour's victory under the "no going back on brexit" leader at the next general election will change absolutely nothing.

[Smartie]

It's funny how it's simultaneously both really shocking and surprising then when you think about for a second it's not.

Her life cannot have been easy and all she's had to endure over the years will eventually have taken it's toll.

It's a good day for Unionists, Tories, the corrupt, for the culture wars and all that 21st century UK has become because I reckon she was a fairly formidable opponent to all of that. Whilst a great many hated her for it, she still seemed to be someone who could be respected from the more reasonable folk who might disagree with some of her policies but admire her dignity and competence.

We're going to be losing someone who was closer to being the solution than the problem and I think Scotland is further weakened today off the back of this news.

I'm certainly (and sadly) bringing my kids up with the idea that they get far, far away from here.

[Glory Lurker]

This is Neil Lennon's opportunity.

[Kato]

This is Neil Lennon's opportunity.Jim Jefferies is in the club shop.

She should take some time out then stand as an MP.

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[Stairway 2 7]

Ian Blackford the Hibby to take over? Well he has just resigned from Parliament so maybe all part of the plan ?!

Think the old guard have to go, too polarised. If the aim is purely independence then they need someone that can capture the undecided vote

[hibby rae]

Ian Blackford the Hibby to take over? Well he has just resigned as leader in Parliament so maybe all part of the plan ?!

I think Angus Robertson might be more viable right now (he is a Jambo though 😬).

For one thing Blackford would have to win the next available MSP seat. Although Robertson's constituency was Tory before he won it so can't be a banker in the way Sturgeon's was.

[Northernhibee]

This is Neil Lennon's opportunity.
Celtic fans have beaten him to his own tactics by calling Douglas Ross a ****.

[grunt]

Ian Blackford the Hibby to take over? Well he has just resigned as leader in Parliament so maybe all part of the plan ?!
Blackford's father died yesterday. If there was such a plan, I doubt they'd have announced it today.

[Moulin Yarns]

Am I right in thinking that the leader has to be an MSP? Sure that was the reason for Salmond moving to holyrood.

[Crunchie]

I think Angus Robertson might be more viable right now (he is a Jambo though 😬).

For one thing Blackford would have to win the next available MSP seat. Although Robertson's constituency was Tory before he won it so can't be a banker in the way Sturgeon's was.
The fact we're struggling to come up with a name says it all.

Stephen Kerr's tweet sums it up for me.

Her record since she came to power on education, crime and transport has been nothing short of a disaster.

[J-C]

Sad to see her go but not too surprised either. One or 2 gaffs like the Gender Bill, ferry fiasco and the court case re the referendum have taken their toll and her rating has dropped. I have zero clue who'll take over

[Mibbes Aye]

It may be a case of her leaving after the next election rather than straight away.

The timescale for the eventual departure will be a big clue to the truth of the matter I suspect

[marinello59]

Am I right in thinking that the leader has to be an MSP? Sure that was the reason for Salmond moving to holyrood.

:agree:

[TrumpIsAPeado]

Her record since she came to power on education, crime and transport has been nothing short of a disaster.

As it would have been for anyone, regardless of person or party. Considering these "disasters" exist across the whole of the UK.

[grunt]

Her record since she came to power on education, crime and transport has been nothing short of a disaster.
Rubbish.

[archie]

I suspect insiders knew. The amount of positioning over the past few weeks and the start of briefing against potential rivals should have been a clue.

[Oscar T Grouch]

Pretty devastated by this news, simply because she was a very good politician who genuinely cared about the people of Scotland. I am not surprised though, she has like no other politician I can think of had to put up with a torrent of abuse since the day she got the top job. The disgusting misogyny and hatred thrown at her every day must have been draining for her. I really hoped her legacy would be her leading us to independence but alas it is not to be.

Luckily unlike the tories and quite a lot of Labour there is a depth of talent in the SNP so her replacement will still be able to bat away the idiocy thrown at them in Holyrood, however I do not think we will see another with her empathy and understanding. This will make unionists happy because they seen her as a genuine threat to the union but they may be faced with someone more focused on independence than Nicola, they may regret their happiness at this announcement.

She will go onto a significant role in world politics I am sure.

[Ryan91]

The fact we're struggling to come up with a name says it all.

Stephen Kerr's tweet sums it up for me.

Her record since she came to power on education, crime and transport has been nothing short of a disaster.

Stephen Kerr is about the last person I'd be looking to on education, let alone crime or transport.

[archie]

Am I right in thinking that the leader has to be an MSP? Sure that was the reason for Salmond moving to holyrood.

I'm not sure. Didn't NS lead the opposition at Holyrood when AS was leader and an MP? Having said that, the leader would have to be in Holyrood to be FM, so maybe that answers it.

[heretoday]

Bring back Ian Blackford! A Hibby, a man of humour with a good big erse on him!

[Santa Cruz]

Don't necessarily agree with all of her policies, but she's always came across as capable and well-meaning, a good leader of the country all in all.

She was also warm and engaging to talk to when I met her.

I'd be surprised if she was replaced with someone as good, and therefore it's a loss for Scottish politics IMO.

Agree with this. Seen something she done recently that was so kind and personable, I just wouldn't have expected a head of Government would take or have the time to do it. It was a private matter but left me with no doubt that politics aside she is deep down a thouroughly decent and thoughtful person.

[He's here!]

100%. One of the most talented of her generation.

Those saying it has something to do with the GRA I'd just say that's wishful thinking, post hoc ergo propter hoc.

The Newsagent podcast stated after they interviewed her there had been rumours kicking about for a while that she was considering it, after the length of time she had spent as leader she had begun to feel jaded and felt a change would be needed in the long run.

I doubt they will go for a more right-leaning leader, the SNP are smart enough to know how to win in Scotland, it's the reason they took away Labours' base.

The GRA fallout sent polling for her, the SNP and independence rapidly in the wrong direction so it's more than wishful thinking to suggest it was a factor.

Whatever reasons she cites, it's good news for those who have long been fed up with her.

[Zambernardi1875]

The GRA fallout sent polling for her, the SNP and independence rapidly in the wrong direction so it's more than wishful thinking to suggest it was a factor.

Whatever reasons she cites, it's good news for those who have long been fed up with her.

The amount of posts on this thread alone by people who were against independence show how good a politician she was

[WeeRussell]

Ultimately forced out by morons and malice.

A real shame and a big loss but credit to her for sticking-in and trying to do the right thing for so long.

It would be strange to have a politician or indeed any human being that someone agrees with on everything 100%. But I have absolutely no doubt she was sincere and did her best for her country with integrity. Something that can’t be said for a great deal of her counterparts and critics.

I hope she enjoys and thrives at whatever is next for her.

[Hiber-nation]

She's done a remarkable job especially given the media's constant onslaught of abuse against her. A great leader and human being.

[Kato]

The GRA fallout sent polling for her, the SNP and independence rapidly in the wrong direction so it's more than wishful thinking to suggest it was a factor.

Whatever reasons she cites, it's good news for those who have long been fed up with her.https://twitter.com/estellecostanza/status/1625807379869704192?t=oRWHFAB-SygQFjz7a9ru-Q&s=19

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[CentreForward]

Think the old guard have to go, too polarised. If the aim is purely independence then they need someone that can capture the undecided vote

Yes, possibly.

[neil7908]

She has always come across to me as a genuine, pretty down to earth person.

I don't agree with all of her policies but when I compare her with Boris the clown, Truss the idiot and Rishi the out of touch billionaire, I have always felt proud to have her lead the country.

She's also leaving with dignity - compare again to Boris raging against the dying of the light on his time as PM, and plotting and scheming for a comeback almost immediately.

I wish her all the best for whatever comes next.

[Hiber-nation]

https://twitter.com/estellecostanza/status/1625807379869704192?t=oRWHFAB-SygQFjz7a9ru-Q&s=19

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Heard the same thing on holiday in Majorca. Except it was two 60 something brexiteer Yorkshire sounding couples taking it in turns to talk as loudly as possible and and be as rude as possible to the waiting staff.

[GRA]

A politician who went into politics to try and better rather others rather than enrich herself.

Mistakes were made during her term, no doubt, but rather her than a bunch of self-serving Tories.

Everyone has a sell by date. She goes with my best wishes.

[CentreForward]

I think Angus Robertson might be more viable right now (he is a Jambo though 😬).

For one thing Blackford would have to win the next available MSP seat. Although Robertson's constituency was Tory before he won it so can't be a banker in the way Sturgeon's was.


Actually I was thinking that Robertson might be a good choice. Think he’s quite good although my opinion of him has just gone downhill now he’s been revealed as a jambo :confused:

[Pretty Boy]

It will be interesting to see in what direction the SNP go. Will they double down and go for someone solely focused on independence and drive home a message that until we get what we and our supporters want we are going to be a single issue party or will they look to someone with a broader scope to position them as a party ready for independent governance and able to grow support for independence beyond the figure it has been stagnating around for several years now? People can argue the independence question is bigger than the SNP but like it or not they will be dictate the path a newly independent Scotland starts to take. They are the only party capable of delivering a referendum and a potential victory and for all the talk of their disbandment after that aim is achieved they would almost certainly form the 1st government in an iScotland. Even in the best case scenario (from a pro independence supporters viewpoint) that's a process that will take around a decade if we consider delivering a referendum, negotiating our withdrawal, a transitional period, an election and the start of a term in government. That's a decent chunk of the rest of my working life so I'd like a degree of clarity on the ideology of the party setting the tone.

Truthfully I don't really know what the Scottish electorate want ideologically speaking. The SNP as both party and voter base, seem such a mixed bag and such a broad church that it's hard to place them anywhere on the spectrum. It's one issue uniting a diffuse group of people; reading the views of the various SNP voters on here when it comes to matters around housing, redistribution of wealth, taxation etc. highlights that. many seem to have little common ground beynd their support for a party. Not a criticism but it's interesting nonetheless. Nicola Sturgeon was certainly empathetic and governed with a social conscience in a lot of areas but I'd struggle to describe her as left wing in any meaningful sense. Her ambitions for Scotland post independence were still broadly tied to a failed system rooted in neoliberal capitalism. Do Scottish people, or rather supporters of independence want a democratic socialist or social democrat replacement really driving home why an iScotland will be different? Do they want someone else broadly centre ground with a few progressive policies thrown in? Are we deep down not as far removed from the right as a decent percentage of English voters as we'd like to think? Is it now independence at any cost and get someone in who will, to quote a phrase, 'get it done'?

Interesting times ahead and I wouldn't like to be charged with uniting a party who have been so dominated by 2 figures for so long.

[ElginHibbie]

Nice dig at her detractors that can only come up with comments like "Wee Nippy" to counter her to do better in that speech... hopefully both sides listen to make things less toxic but won't hold my breath

[CentreForward]

Blackford's father died yesterday. If there was such a plan, I doubt they'd have announced it today.

Sorry I didn’t know that, and yes agree that would make it unlikely to have been announced today.

[allmodcons]

She ruked with an iron rod, now it has snapped there will be a fair amount of dirt come out over the coming weeks. Those who held her on a pedestal will be in for a shock imo.

Christ you don't half talk some crap.

You know nothing about what is going on internally in the SNP.

Just a wee gossip with very little class.

[ElginHibbie]

https://twitter.com/Oldfirmfacts1/status/1625817430835490820?s=20

Fair reasoning imho

[Santa Cruz]

I've thought for a while FM aside, the more talented politicians in the SNP are sitting in WM. Just don't see any "shining stars" in Holyrood. Suspect, but could be wrong, there will be an early SG election. The SNP will then agree to work with Alba and Greens. There was no way the FM was ever going to agree to work with AS again. Now with her departure this will be viewed as a final push to achieve majority support for Independence before the next GE.

[Ozyhibby]

I've thought for a while FM aside, the more talented politicians in the SNP are sitting in WM. Just don't see any "shining stars" in Holyrood. Suspect, but could be wrong, there will be an early SG election. The SNP will then agree to work with Alba and Greens. There was no way the FM was ever going to agree to work with AS again. Now with her departure this will be viewed as a final push to achieve majority support for Independence before the next GE.

What do Alba bring to the table?


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[WeeRussell]

Some mustn’t think the job is fully done yet.. very poor series of questioning on bbc (shock) news right now.

[archie]

Some mustn’t think the job is fully done yet.. very poor series of questioning on bbc (shock) news right now.

Care to expand on this?

[heretoday]

Sturgeon has all the charisma. Who else in politics has little children running to him/her for selfies and cuddles? Nobody.

The SNP will have a job replacing that sort of affection.

[WeeRussell]

Christ you don't half talk some crap.

You know nothing about what is going on internally in the SNP.

Just a wee gossip with very little class.

I’m genuinely interested to see if the daily obsessed simply replace Nicola Sturgeon with the next SNP leader in a few months’ time. Maybe they’ll go separate ways and slaver about unique people/subjects? Maybe they’ll take up golf?

[Ryan91]

What do Alba bring to the table?


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as far as I can see, nothing, it's a vanity project for Salmond IMO

[Kato]

What do Alba bring to the table?


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[WeeRussell]

Care to expand on this?

Expand? I think the series of questions being thrown at Nicola Sturgeon on bbc news as we speak is poor.

Not sure I can really expand much more, but hopefully that makes it clearer?

[Santa Cruz]

What do Alba bring to the table?


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I would have thought more support for Independence. It just seems like a % of voters have lost faith in the SNP to deliver on this. I may be wrong but when any movement shows signs of fracturing the most savvy thing to do would be overcoming that by working together to reach the shared aim.

[neil7908]

I’m genuinely interested to see if the daily obsessed simply replace Nicola Sturgeon with the next SNP leader in a few months’ time. Maybe they’ll go separate ways and slaver about unique people/subjects? Maybe they’ll take up golf?

If it's a woman I suspect they'll stick around. If it's a man then there will be another target.

[neil7908]

For at anyone watching the presser, what was the question at the end about a police investigation?

[He's here!]

Some mustn’t think the job is fully done yet.. very poor series of questioning on bbc (shock) news right now.

Only one question was from the BBC. The rest are from a wide variety of media outlets.

[marinello59]

Expand? I think the series of questions being thrown at Nicola Sturgeon on bbc news as we speak is poor.

Not sure I can really expand much more, but hopefully that makes it clearer?

Some were better than others but I didn’t hear anything that was out of order at all. :confused:

[TrumpIsAPeado]

Only one question was from the BBC. The rest are from a wide variety of media outlets.

Not really a "wide variety" though.

[Ozyhibby]

I would have thought more support for Independence. It just seems like a % of voters have lost faith in the SNP to deliver on this. I may be wrong but when any movement shows signs of fracturing the most savvy thing to do would be overcoming that by working together to reach the shared aim.

Maybe if it was fracturing down the middle that would be the case but that’s not what Alba is. With 1.5% of the vote and not a single politician elected under their ticket, Alba is a fringe outfit which carries no serious political weight.


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[WeeRussell]

Only one question was from the BBC. The rest are from a wide variety of media outlets.

I’m aware. Hence I said ‘on’ and not ‘from’ the bbc.

Was slightly tongue in cheek which was why I put “shock” in brackets. I’m not actually suggesting the BBC are responsible for all the questions there, while noting how apt it is.

Although if you count the usual and needless Glenn Campbell pop at the end, presumably it’ll come to more than one (I missed the start).

[marinello59]

Not really a "wide variety" though.

NS picked who she was taking questions from, as she explained at the start she wouldn’t be taking questions from every journalist present.

[Ozyhibby]

For at anyone watching the presser, what was the question at the end about a police investigation?

Colin Mackay, who is usually very good. Weird angle but if it gets you noticed. [emoji849]


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[hibby rae]

The GRA fallout sent polling for her, the SNP and independence rapidly in the wrong direction so it's more than wishful thinking to suggest it was a factor.

Whatever reasons she cites, it's good news for those who have long been fed up with her.

Fast and loose with the use of rapidly there. Polling has been as consistent as before the GRA, swings slightly one way, swings slightly the other.

I think a lot of people think the GRA matters to more to most people more than it does. Very much a case of those who shout loudest.

[Kato]

Fast and loose with the use of rapidly there. Polling has been as consistent as before the GRA, swings slightly one way, swings slightly the other.

I think a lot of people think the GRA matters to more to most people more than it does. Very much a case of those who shout loudest.https://twitter.com/TheSocialistDad/status/1625820275731308546?t=8uABt-RR7hyWkbbFYu100Q&s=19

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[He's here!]

Not really a "wide variety" though.

OK, the same media outlets which are always accorded time at SG press conferences. Which others should have been there? Some willing sycophants rather than those asking what struck me as obvious questions - none of which she appeared to take exception to?

[TrumpIsAPeado]

NS picked who she was taking questions from, as she explained at the start she wouldn’t be taking questions from every journalist present.

She picked from an utterly rotten selection.

[He's here!]

Fast and loose with the use of rapidly there. Polling has been as consistent as before the GRA, swings slightly one way, swings slightly the other.

I think a lot of people think the GRA matters to more to most people more than it does. Very much a case of those who shout loudest.

Her popularity is at it's lowest in her entire tenure based on the most recent polls.

[Bristolhibby]

Sad to see her go but not too surprised either. One or 2 gaffs like the Gender Bill, ferry fiasco and the court case re the referendum have taken their toll and her rating has dropped. I have zero clue who'll take over

It’s amazing how much we hold our own politicians in such high esteem (rightly so).

Yet our real leaders in Westminster get away with proper dodgy horrible stuff and it’s all, meh. (PPE, cash for honours, lying, prologuing Parliament, lying to the Queen, Brexit, sleaze, Lockdown parties, being fined multiple times by the police, the NHS fiasco, perpetual strikes, losing refugee children from centres, Liz Truss, etc).

J

[hibby rae]

https://twitter.com/TheSocialistDad/status/1625820275731308546?t=8uABt-RR7hyWkbbFYu100Q&s=19

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100%

[Mibbes Aye]

For at anyone watching the presser, what was the question at the end about a police investigation?

She was asked if she was going to be interviewed by Police Scotland. She said she wouldn’t or didn’t comment on ongoing police investigations.

[hibby rae]

Her popularity is at it's lowest in her entire tenure based on the most recent polls.

Which is just as likely a symptom of being in charge for 8 years.

Because Y follows X it doesn't mean X caused Y.

[He's here!]

For at anyone watching the presser, what was the question at the end about a police investigation?

Missed that one. I'm guessing it related to the funds supposedly 'woven through' the party accounts? Either that or the Murrell loan though I don't think the police got involved with that?

[TrumpIsAPeado]

Her popularity is at it's lowest in her entire tenure based on the most recent polls.

Yet, still head and heels above all of her adversaries. Perhaps they should all resign in disgrace?

[He's here!]

Yet, still head and heels above all of her adversaries. Perhaps they should all resign in disgrace?

Just pointing out that polling in the wake of the gender rows coincided with a bigger drop in her popularity than previously seen.

[WeeRussell]

Some were better than others but I didn’t hear anything that was out of order at all. :confused:

Maybe I missed the better ones. Only personal opinion but I just felt like much of the positioning and insinuations probably reminded her why she doesn’t need the bother anymore.

Perhaps just being naive (and appreciate it’s their job to probe) but I didn’t expect such a level of negativity when turning it on.

[He's here!]

Sad to see her go but not too surprised either. One or 2 gaffs like the Gender Bill, ferry fiasco and the court case re the referendum have taken their toll and her rating has dropped. I have zero clue who'll take over

It was a pretty consummate political leader's farewell...a lot of yada yada with a subtext of I was never actually wrong but unfortunately too many people couldn't see that.

[archie]

Expand? I think the series of questions being thrown at Nicola Sturgeon on bbc news as we speak is poor.

Not sure I can really expand much more, but hopefully that makes it clearer?

Not really, but fair enough.

[TrumpIsAPeado]

It was a pretty consummate political leader's farewell...a lot of yada yada with a subtext of I was never actually wrong but unfortunately too many people couldn't see that.

Which is why she clearly stated that mistakes had been made and that if she could go back and do some things differently, then she probably would?

[SHODAN]

What do Alba bring to the table?


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I think we all know what they "bring".

[Kato]

It’s amazing how much we hold our own politicians in such high esteem (rightly so).

Yet our real leaders in Westminster get away with proper dodgy horrible stuff and it’s all, meh. (PPE, cash for honours, lying, prologuing Parliament, lying to the Queen, Brexit, sleaze, Lockdown parties, being fined multiple times by the police, the NHS fiasco, perpetual strikes, losing refugee children from centres, Liz Truss, etc).

JThat's because it isn't about actual behaviour or policy. UK politics is based on culture wars, as announced today by the Conservative Party Deputy Chairman the next election will be fought on them.

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[18Craig75]

Just a look on Twitter at who’s taking most delight in her resignation along with obligatory name calling makes me more sure than ever that NS was one of the few good people in politics. A genuine ‘public servant’. And I for one am delighted to be on the opposite side.

[Kato]

It was a pretty consummate political leader's farewell...a lot of yada yada with a subtext of I was never actually wrong but unfortunately too many people couldn't see that.Showing you clearly didn't listen.

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[Pretty Boy]

https://twitter.com/joannaccherry/status/1625817302259081222?t=vorm_xAPsVW2xd48bomilg&s=19

Joanna Cherry either positioning herself or getting ready to endorse someone else by the looks of it

Interesting to see if we have a Holyrood election. After all the, quite correct and justified, noise about there being 2 changes of PM without a GE it would seem the right thing to do. If we are holding ourselves to higher standards of course.

[WeeRussell]

Not really, but fair enough.

Okay, I’ll try a bit harder and more reasonably.

In the opposite way to you thinking NS is this evil being that can’t do anything right, and lies all the time; I think she’s been hands down the best ‘leading’ politician in our country and the whole UK for years now, tells the truth, and acts with integrity. Therefore maybe I’m guilty of viewing things more harshly against her and feel like she gets unfair treatment compared to others less ‘competent’.

So perhaps both blinkered in opposite ways.

[James310]

For at anyone watching the presser, what was the question at the end about a police investigation?

Could be the fraud investigation around the £600K or the leaked emails from Stewart MacDonald.

I am not convinced she just had enough, something has happened we don't know about yet.

[LaMotta]

The fact we're struggling to come up with a name says it all.

Stephen Kerr's tweet sums it up for me.

Her record since she came to power on education, crime and transport has been nothing short of a disaster.

Stephen Kerr has never summed up anything sensibly in his life.

[Iain G]

as far as I can see, nothing, it's a vanity project for Salmond IMO

Mainly there for keeping the handsy fat jambo and his ego in the public eye

[grunt]

Her popularity is at its lowest in her entire tenure based on the most recent polls.Oh yes, don't forget 4 in 10 voters wanted her to go. FFS.

[Ozyhibby]

https://twitter.com/joannaccherry/status/1625817302259081222?t=vorm_xAPsVW2xd48bomilg&s=19

Joanna Cherry either positioning herself or getting ready to endorse someone else by the looks of it

Interesting to see if we have a Holyrooe election. After all the, quite correct and justified, noise about there being 2 changes of PM without a GE it would seem the right thing to do. If we are holding ourselves to higher standards of course.

I would say she has zero chance of being elected leader. I’d be happy enough with a new Holyrood election.


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[WeeRussell]

Could be the fraud investigation around the £600K or the leaked emails from Stewart MacDonald.

I am not convinced she just had enough, something has happened we don't know about yet.

You can only hope.

[Ozyhibby]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/0e20c05b77110ac4db05885506b81dc2.jpg


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[Kato]

If something like the police being involved made her resign you'd imagine she'd be resigning from politics altogether.

I missed most of her departure speech. Did she follow recent tradition and blame the Anti-Growth Coalition (the bastids), the Left-Wing Financial Establishment or promise a Cincinnatus like return as a Dictator after being caught lying too many times?

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[allmodcons]

Could be the fraud investigation around the £600K or the leaked emails from Stewart MacDonald.

I am not convinced she just had enough, something has happened we don't know about yet.

You'll be telling us next that she's a man.

Another wee gossip hoping for some titbits from the rabid right wing press.

[He's here!]

I suspect insiders knew. The amount of positioning over the past few weeks and the start of briefing against potential rivals should have been a clue.

Certainly no way a farewell speech of that length (complete with carefully scripted 'laughs' to indicate something light-hearted is coming) was dashed off overnight.

[grunt]

Certainly no way a farewell speech of that length (complete with carefully scripted 'laughs' to indicate something light-hearted is coming) was dashed off overnight.
You mean you couldn't write it overnight.

[stu in nottingham]

It's funny how it's simultaneously both really shocking and surprising then when you think about for a second it's not.

Her life cannot have been easy and all she's had to endure over the years will eventually have taken it's toll.

It's a good day for Unionists, Tories, the corrupt, for the culture wars and all that 21st century UK has become because I reckon she was a fairly formidable opponent to all of that. Whilst a great many hated her for it, she still seemed to be someone who could be respected from the more reasonable folk who might disagree with some of her policies but admire her dignity and competence.

We're going to be losing someone who was closer to being the solution than the problem and I think Scotland is further weakened today off the back of this news.

I'm certainly (and sadly) bringing my kids up with the idea that they get far, far away from here.

In a similar position, I would be thinking exactly the same as you Smartie and yet we know, it all could have been so different for Scotland and its peoples' future. It now potentially has a future of great uncertainty and increasingly difficult times.

Nicola Sturgeon is a brilliant politician, one far in excess in ability of other 'leaders' in these isles. More than that, she is clearly a person of great integrity and decency - something clearly absent in many politicians. I abhor the clownish mysogyny, abuse and yes, racism, she has routinely had to deal with. She has certainly done her very considerable best for Scotland and for that I am grateful and thank her for. I hope she will be happy in whatever follows, she deserves it.

[James310]

You'll be telling us next that she's a man.

Another wee gossip hoping for some titbits from the rabid right wing press.

I remember the same reaction when Alex Salmond resigned, lots of people telling us how wonderful he is, how wrong those people were. I just suspect there is more to this than simply just her having had enough.

[Zambernardi1875]

I remember the same reaction when Alex Salmond resigned, lots of people telling us how wonderful he is, how wrong those people were. I just suspect there is more to this than simply just her having had enough.

Let the desperate digging commence

[James310]

Let the desperate digging commence

I could be completely wrong of course, it happens.

Time will tell.

[James310]

https://twitter.com/AlexSalmond/status/1625837135969353730?t=3RvO0KrqFaXxS08t7Lh7Mw&s=19

[Crunchie]

I could be completely wrong of course, it happens.

Time will tell.
As has been said before, she's not gone from having plenty in the tank a couple of weeks ago to resigning now. Not a chance would she resign out of the blue like this.

[allmodcons]

I remember the same reaction when Alex Salmond resigned, lots of people telling us how wonderful he is, how wrong those people were. I just suspect there is more to this than simply just her having had enough.

For "suspect" read hope.

[ElginHibbie]

As has been said before, she's not gone from having plenty in the tank a couple of weeks ago to resigning now. Not a chance would she resign out of the blue like this.

What she said and what she thinking could be two completely different things though, she isn't exactly gonna come out and say "Actually not sure this is for me anymore" when asked before her mind was made up was she?

[WeeRussell]

What she said and what she thinking could be two completely different things though, she isn't exactly gonna come out and say "Actually not sure this is for me anymore" when asked before her mind was made up was she?

Nah just lock her up now. Maybe we could spend the next two months asking which jail she should be in?

[Hibs4185]

I vote for independence and therefore have always voted SNP but I am starting to hate the SNP to a lesser extent Nicola Sturgeon.

I think they have become reliant on strategists who prioritise popular policies with potential yes voters rather than delivering economic and social benefits for the people of Scotland which in turn will show people Scotland can be a successful independent country.

My worry is, it won’t matter who replaces her if the party is still driven by the same people in the background.

Her time is up, I feel the SNP may also be on borrowed time

[Hibrandenburg]

Am I right in thinking that the leader has to be an MSP? Sure that was the reason for Salmond moving to holyrood.

Surely just give someone a miniver fur robe and announce them FM.

[He's here!]

Showing you clearly didn't listen.

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I thought you said you missed most of the speech?

[Hiber-nation]

Certainly no way a farewell speech of that length (complete with carefully scripted 'laughs' to indicate something light-hearted is coming) was dashed off overnight.

You clearly have no idea of her abilities. She could knock up a speech like that in an hour or 2 no problem.

[Kato]

Showing you clearly didn't listen.

Sent from my SM-A528B using TapatalkIn the bit I heard she admitted mistakes and would have done some things differently.

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[Bostonhibby]

As an observer of Scotland's political scene who endures the Westminster leadership merry go round. I've seen her as a very credible leader and a helluva lot more honest in her dealings than the nest of vipers she has outlasted as UK Prime Ministers who were mostly hounded out by their own supporters and actions.

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[He's here!]

Swinney confirms he won't take an interim leadership role. Got the impression he might be stepping down too.

[James310]

You clearly have no idea of her abilities. She could knock up a speech like that in an hour or 2 no problem.

She has an army of special advisors and speech writers. As do all senior politicians.

[James310]

Swinney confirms he won't take an interim leadership role. Got the impression he might be stepping down too.

Swinney and Keith Brown will be next to go I reckon.

I wonder if they will go for someone like Mairi McAllan. Maybe a bit too early for her. This is from the BBC.

The Clydesdale MSP is a fresh face at Holyrood, with the 30-year-old first being elected in 2021.

However she immediately stepped into government as environment minister, and has already been responsible for guiding foxhunting legislation through parliament.

A former solicitor, she served as a special advisor to Nicola Sturgeon before winning a seat of her own.

That means she has a solid grounding in how the Scottish government works - the question may be whether it is too early in her career to move into the very top job.

[grunt]

Social media is a binfire. I despair for the future of this country.

[Hiber-nation]

She has an army of special advisors and speech writers. As do all senior politicians.

As a former SG employee I know all about that. I was obviously commenting on her own ability to write a speech.

[Stairway 2 7]

Angus Robertson , Kate Forbes and Keith Brown the early bookies favourite

Hopefully not Robertson he's a poor communicator. Forbes would be good and Flynn also, he'd be a favourite if it was 6 months time post him being regularly on TV slamming Sunak

[James310]

This below echo's what I had heard. I don't think it's a coincidence a few weeks ago she had a full tank and then all of a sudden the emails are leaked, they land in the hands of Craig Murray, he gets a visit from Police Scotland within hours and then 1 week later Sturgeon resigns.

https://twitter.com/jammach/status/1625799393856167936?t=8O9SA4nTPm0rFcWYStFxsQ&s=19

"Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is stepping down.

Not a surprise to those of us that know what is in Stewart McDonalds emails.

Wouldn’t it be a horrible thing, if allegedly, certain very senior, most senior people in the SNP had been using trans politics issues to deliberately heave ‘stalwarts’ out the SNP membership and reduce demands for independence?

Very inconvenient if you discussed that by email.

Keep your eye on @CraigMurrayOrg"

As I say could be rubbish but I remember the rumors around Salmond were dismissed and some people were left red faced.

[One Day Soon]

Hmm

[He's here!]

Angus Robertson , Kate Forbes and Keith Brown the early bookies favourite

Hopefully not Robertson he's a poor communicator. Forbes would be good and Flynn also, he'd be a favourite if it was 6 months time post him being regularly on TV slamming Sunak

Robertson's too smarmy and Brown utterly repellent (so I'd be delighted if he got the job).

[TrumpIsAPeado]

Social media is a binfire. I despair for the future of this country.

Social media has me despairing for the future of the world in general tbh.

[Mibbes Aye]

You clearly have no idea of her abilities. She could knock up a speech like that in an hour or 2 no problem.

She has a law degree and years of ministerial experience, I've no doubt of her smarts.

The speech was undoubtedly and understandably personal. It was her resignation speech, she is entitled to that.

I think if it had been drafted from a purely political perspective, there would have been far less use of 'I' and much more use of 'we'. Likewise she wouldn't have used 'SNP' or 'party' more often than she did 'country'. No doubt the speculators will make of that what they will.

I was really glad she explicitly referenced care-experienced young people in her speech. Life chances and outcomes for this group was something that came relatively late in her time as FM but which she really seems to be motivated by. It will do no harm to have an ex-FM as an active voice in pushing forward the commitments made by SG and others.

[degenerated]

Angus Robertson , Kate Forbes and Keith Brown the early bookies favourite

Hopefully not Robertson he's a poor communicator. Forbes would be good and Flynn also, he'd be a favourite if it was 6 months time post him being regularly on TV slamming SunakKate Forbes would be a good shout if it wasn't for her being a wee free, their views on certain things might not be a good fit.
Angus Robertson is capable but not sure he has the gravitas. Other than being a good Hibby I don't know enough about Keith Brown to know if he would be good, bad or indifferent.

[Hibrandenburg]

Actually I was thinking that Robertson might be a good choice. Think he’s quite good although my opinion of him has just gone downhill now he’s been revealed as a jambo :confused:

I spent a few hours with A R just before Christmas. We discussed mainly parenting and bringing up kids bilingual but we did touch on politics a little. I think he and Sturgeon have similar ethics despite them having different backgrounds. Having had a German mother he is very passionate about the EU. I can forgive his Jambo inheritance as he’s not interested in football in the slightest and is more of a Rugby man.

Robertson would be my choice as Sturgeon's replacement but she's left some very big high-heeled shoes to fill. It just feels like she's the last of a breed that truly had the interests of the electorate at heart, regardless of whether they supported her or not.

[OldEast]

Kate Forbes would be a good shout if it wasn't for her being a wee free, their views on certain things might not be a good fit.
Angus Robertson is capable but not sure he has the gravitas. Other than being a good Hibby I don't know enough about Keith Brown to know if he would be good, bad or indifferent.

Kate Forbes for me would be the worst possible choice. Keep religion out of politics.

[OldEast]

Change the rules and get Stephen Flynn or Mhairi Black or Drew Hendry in the job.

[Ozyhibby]

Kate Forbes would be a good shout if it wasn't for her being a wee free, their views on certain things might not be a good fit.
Angus Robertson is capable but not sure he has the gravitas. Other than being a good Hibby I don't know enough about Keith Brown to know if he would be good, bad or indifferent.

Does that go for Catholics as well?


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[SteveHFC]

Change the rules and get Stephen Flynn or Mhairi Black or Drew Hendry in the job.

Mhairi Black would be perfect.

[Ozyhibby]

Kate Forbes for me would be the worst possible choice. Keep religion out of politics.

Where has she brought religion into politics?


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[OldEast]

Where has she brought religion into politics?


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I haven't said she has.

[Santa Cruz]

Change the rules and get Stephen Flynn or Mhairi Black or Drew Hendry in the job.

That would be such a bad look, they could just get a sitting MSP to resign to force a by-election, then parachute an MP in once they resign their position. Would personally favour Cherry over Flynn, but tbf to Flynn he has got off to a good start. Would obviously prefer a change of Gov but accept that's not happening anytime soon.

[degenerated]

Does that go for Catholics as well?


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIf they went to the lengths of making pro life speeches at events organised by likes of Brian Souttar then they would probably face the same challenges that Kate Forbes would if she landed the gig.

[Pretty Boy]

Kate Forbes for me would be the worst possible choice. Keep religion out of politics.

Is Kate Forbes actively invested in her faith to the point it should disqualify her from the running?

I was wary of her previously because of the rhetoric of the Free Church and her membership but someone (on here) pointed me in the direction of an interview with her in which she explained the part her faith played in her life more fully. A lot of it seemed more of a hangover form her upbringing rather than any true theological dogmatism. That could all be a front for the media and positioning herself for office of course.

I'm no fool, I understand that how you are brought up and the religion you follow, particularly one as firebrand as the Free Church can be, leaves (or rather can leave) an impression. On the other hand I also feel more qualified to comment than many as I'm someone who actively practices their faith and finds the generalisations and assumptions about my beliefs on social issues utterly tiresome. I'm a Catholic, I attend Mass weekly, I believe in transubstantiation but I also believe women should have access to safe abortion, gay people should be able to marry and that Protestants aren't all sinful heretics.

I'd be happy to see Forbes stand; if her position on issues such as LGBTQI+ rights and abortion don't marry with what people want then she wouldn't win. She'd have to be honest and clear about where she stood of course, Tim Farron is an example of what happens when someone tries to have a foot in both camps.

[Stairway 2 7]

If they went to the lengths of making pro life speeches at events organised by likes of Brian Souttar then they would probably face the same challenges that Kate Forbes would if she landed the gig.

Just googled that **** that the last thing we need is abortion restrictions, snp need stability and more importantly not any controversy. I think it's an easy gig, probably 40+% are going to definitely vote for you regardless due to wanting independence.

[Ozyhibby]

That would be such a bad look, they could just get a sitting MSP to resign to force a by-election, then parachute an MP in once they resign their position. Would personally favour Cherry over Flynn, but tbf to Flynn he has got off to a good start. Would obviously prefer a change of Gov but accept that's not happening anytime soon.

The important thing is to get the right person rather than how things look.


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[He's here!]

You clearly have no idea of her abilities. She could knock up a speech like that in an hour or 2 no problem.

You think she only decided to resign last night?

Philip Sim of the BBC just said the speech had clearly been 'weeks in the making'.

[grunt]

Keep your eye on @CraigMurrayOrg"

As I say could be rubbish but I remember the rumors around Salmond were dismissed and some people were left red faced.
Is this the same Craig Murray who said the allegations against Salmond were false?
Is this the same Craig Murray who said that Sturgeon doesn't want independence?
Is this the same Craig Murray who said on 14 Feb 2022 that Russia would never invade Ukraine?
Is this the same Craig Murray who then said that Russia was provoked into invading, and who "stands" with Roger Waters?

I suggest you might want to reconsider your views on who to believe.

[Since90+2]

If Kate Forbes wants it she'll be the new FM.

Whether she will want to or not, as someone who seems fairly private and has not long ago had a child, or not
is another matter.

[Santa Cruz]

The important thing is to get the right person rather than how things look.


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Changing rules/policies to suit your own purpose is not a good look. You can't be battering other political parties for doing that if you're prepared to tolerate it becuase it's suddenly a convenient route to take imo.

[ElginHibbie]

You think she only decided to resign last night?

Philip Sim of the BBC just said the speech had clearly been 'weeks in the making'.

Well that should put to bed any suggestion that she's been forced out suddenly due to some alleged emails' content... I won't hold my breath it does though :greengrin

[Kato]

You think she only decided to resign last night?

Philip Sim of the BBC just said the speech had clearly been 'weeks in the making'.Fair do's, the BBC are usually correct when guessing what NS is thinking....

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[WhileTheChief..]

Probably for the best. She couldn’t go on for ever and she was never going to deliver Indy, so now is as good a time as any to move on.

Be good to watch as things unfold over the next few days.

Assuming there will be an election to follow soon. They can’t just put a new FM in place after all the noises they about Sunak.

[Ozyhibby]

Fair do's, the BBC are usually correct when guessing what NS is thinking....

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And anyway, who cares when she decided? It’s not important.


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[Ozyhibby]

Probably for the best. She couldn’t go on for ever and she was never going to deliver Indy, so now is as good a time as any to move on.

Be good to watch as things unfold over the next few days.

Assuming there will be an election to follow soon. They can’t just put a new FM in place after all the noises they about Sunak.

I think it’s possible that they don’t go for an election but I also think they should. New leader, new mandate.


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[Wilson]

Well that should put to bed any suggestion that she's been forced out suddenly due to some alleged emails' content... I won't hold my breath it does though :greengrin

Both could be true. Sturgeon may well have been contemplating life after politics for a good while and something could have happened that makes right now the right time.

[stokesmessiah]

I haven't said she has.

But you are assuming because she is religious that she will?

[SHODAN]

Regardless of whether Forbes would bring religion into politics or not, I'd stop voting for the SNP under her leadership and I wouldn't be alone.

[Since90+2]

Regardless of whether Forbes would bring religion into politics or not, I'd stop voting for the SNP under her leadership and I wouldn't be alone.

Go on then, tell us...

[grunt]

Would personally favour Cherry over FlynnI don't understand what has happened to Jo Cherry in recent years. She seems to have become very bitter.

[Smartie]

Regardless of whether Forbes would bring religion into politics or not, I'd stop voting for the SNP under her leadership and I wouldn't be alone.

Do you not think it would at least be worth hearing what she had to say first?

I don't know much about any of the candidates, which in some ways is refreshing.

[Ozyhibby]

Do you not think it would at least be worth hearing what she had to say first?

I don't know much about any of the candidates, which in some ways is refreshing.

Must admit, quite looking forward to hearing from them. Hope there is a decent sized field to pick from.[emoji1696]


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[ElginHibbie]

Go on then, tell us...

Would imagine for some her previous "pro-life" comment would be too much baggage to support her

[Stairway 2 7]

Cherry is right but he'll surely go too


Paul Hutcheon
@paulhutcheon
·
An SNP spokesperson says party Chief Executive Peter Murrell, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, will be staying on in post


Joanna Cherry KC
@joannaccherry
·
The SNP Leadership & party management have been deeply bound together. I cannot see any circumstances in which Peter Murrell can continue as Chief Executive under a new leader who must be free to choose a successor. Meantime we need a neutral caretaker CEO

[Zambernardi1875]

Independence was going quite stale for a lot of original snp/yes voters, I think she’s played a blinder by stepping down. This could give the yes movement a boost

[Sylar]

Ya Dancer…good riddance

Good riddance, that is, until you realise the utter dearth of talent that lies in wait.

FM John Swinney?! JFC...

[Hiber-nation]

You think she only decided to resign last night?

Philip Sim of the BBC just said the speech had clearly been 'weeks in the making'.

He knows as much as me. All I did was comment on how she can rattle up a speech in no time. I never said a thing about when she decided to resign.

[HendoDelivered]

Quite sad about this.

Thanks for steering us through some truly dark times Nicola. All the best in whatever is next.

[OldEast]

But you are assuming because she is religious that she will?

Classic reading into posts what you think is said not what is actually said. I don't want religion or anyone with strong religious views anywhere near politics. End of!

[He's here!]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-is-nicola-sturgeon-resigning/

'Despite her time in government, Sturgeon leaves no substantial legacy behind. In the history of the SNP she is, and always will be, a giant. In the lives of ordinary Scots, once she goes, there will be few signs she was ever there'.

Maybe a bit harsh about there being few signs she was ever there, but fair enough to question what her legacy actually was aside from being the longest-serving FM.

Steering Scotland through Covid maybe? Her political legacy was certainly pretty thin, with her two 'flagship' pledges, independence and closing the attainment gap in education, as far away as ever.

[He's here!]

Good riddance, that is, until you realise the utter dearth of talent that lies in wait.

FM John Swinney?! JFC...

Already ruled himself out. Hints that he may be stepping down too, which I'm guessing might be announced at the spring conference.

[Ozyhibby]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-is-nicola-sturgeon-resigning/

'Despite her time in government, Sturgeon leaves no substantial legacy behind. In the history of the SNP she is, and always will be, a giant. In the lives of ordinary Scots, once she goes, there will be few signs she was ever there'.

Maybe a bit harsh about there being few signs she was ever there, but fair enough to question what her legacy actually was aside from being the longest-serving FM.

Steering Scotland through Covid maybe? Her political legacy was certainly pretty thin, with her two 'flagship' pledges, independence and closing the attainment gap in education, as far away as ever.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64587011


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[degenerated]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-is-nicola-sturgeon-resigning/

'Despite her time in government, Sturgeon leaves no substantial legacy behind. In the history of the SNP she is, and always will be, a giant. In the lives of ordinary Scots, once she goes, there will be few signs she was ever there'.

Maybe a bit harsh about there being few signs she was ever there, but fair enough to question what her legacy actually was aside from being the longest-serving FM.

Steering Scotland through Covid maybe? Her political legacy was certainly pretty thin, with her two 'flagship' pledges, independence and closing the attainment gap in education, as far away as ever.She's left more of a legacy than that bunterish oaf ever will :hilarious

[Stairway 2 7]

Classic reading into posts what you think is said not what is actually said. I don't want religion or anyone with strong religious views anywhere near politics. End of!

I don't want religion (fine) anyone with strong religious views anywhere near politics(ridiculous)

I believe in keeping religion out of politics but am tolerant of people having their beliefs. Londoners seem to like sadiq Khan and although I hate Sunak’s politics completely I thought it was nice seeing him put out diwali lights at number 10.

[Ozyhibby]

I don't want religion (fine) anyone with strong religious views anywhere near politics(ridiculous)

I believe in keeping religion out of politics but am tolerant of people having their beliefs. Londoners seem to like sadiq Khan and although I hate Sunak’s politics completely I thought it was nice seeing him put out diwali lights at number 10.

Agree. We have enough problems in Scotland with sectarianism without saying only certain religions can be FM.


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[degenerated]

Agree. We have enough problems in Scotland with sectarianism without saying only certain religions can be FM.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkNobody has said that though, have they?

[Stairway 2 7]

Nobody has said that though, have they?

He went further, anyone with strong religious views.

[AgentDaleCooper]

Go on then, tell us...

She's anti-abortion for starters.

[OldEast]

He went further, anyone with strong religious views.

What are you talking about. My views are crystal clear. Religion or those who hold strong religious views should be nowhere near positions of political power/leadership

[Stairway 2 7]

What are you talking about. My views are crystal clear. Religion or those who hold strong religious views should be nowhere near positions of political power/leadership

And you are welcome to have that opinion but I disagree with you

[Smartie]

She's anti-abortion for starters.

Being anti-abortion is a viewpoint I passionately disagree with but I think we need to be very careful about what opinions should prevent you from holding office.

We're talking about a potential FM of Scotland here, not an autocratic dictator who makes all the rules.

Saying "you can" and "you can't" based on opinions commonly associated with certain religions is a very slippery slope indeed.

[James310]

From Blair McDougall the head of Better Together.

Was it because of the police investigation? Was it because she was about to be defeated at her special conference? Was it because of the mounting crises that are engulfing her government? Was it that the slide backwards in the independence polls just left her too exhausted to continue?

Only Nicola Sturgeon knows why she decided to wave goodbye to the SNP today. What we do know is that she leaves behind a party and a movement that will have to deal with the many crises she leaves behind without her political talents.

Sturgeon the Performer
When planning the Better Together campaign, I went deep into the archives and studied a decade of SNP communications on independence. What struck me was how unfalteringly consistent the language used by Salmond, Swinney, Salmond and then Sturgeon was. This group of politicians decided on their political argument in the late nineties and then determined to shape Scottish politics around those arguments.

Sturgeon was polished, rigidly sticking to the script in interviews, however ultimately that unwavering focus on prosecuting their own message has meant that the independence cause has been inflexible in response to changing political circumstances. Generals risk fighting the last war and political leaders are reluctant to change the strategy that brought them to power, even when it is clear it isn’t working anymore.

The First Minister claimed in her valediction that she had created a majority for independence. The reality is that she oversaw the campaign that failed to convince Scots to leave the UK in 2014 and polls over the last few days suggested that support for remaining in the UK is as strong as it was when she was defeated. SNP leaders are judged, and judge themselves, on one thing only: have they progressed the cause of nationalism? Sturgeon has not.

The last SNP leader to comprehensively renew the SNP’s cause and the independence cause was Salmond Mk1 twenty years ago. In her time Sturgeon has failed to renew the case for leaving the UK. New powers in Holyrood, Brexit, the rise of Starmer’s Labour, and economic realities have transformed the political landscape. Sturgeon has done little to advance her argument.

While she was a referendum loser, she was undoubtedly an election winner. Building on the nationalist framing of Scottish politics to win in Holyrood, Sturgeon was also able to exploit a series of too-close-to-call general elections to inject herself into UK debates where the SNP had been, in the past, seen as irrelevant. Her successor will likely lack the status and the political opportunity to do so.

Successive landslide victories are remarkable political achievements, built not just by Sturgeon but by an organisational team led by her husband. However, being good at the game of politics is not the same as being a good political leader. “Bullsh*t'll grease a lot of doors”, as Jack Stanton says in Primary Colours. “The real test is what you do when you walk through ' em.” So, what did Nicola Sturgeon deliver with all that power?

Sturgeon the Policy Maker
Here is where this edition starts to become less generous to the First Minister and her legacy. In almost every area of policy, Nicola Sturgeon has failed her own tests, left behind services in crisis, and overseen national decline.

Promising to prioritise the educational attainment of disadvantaged kids above all else she instead marked down the exams of kids in poverty, cut the funding for the poorest kids, and then gave up on that promise altogether. Despite our higher public spending in Scotland, schools were deprioritised with high school spending per pupil now the lowest in the UK. In our primary schools, she promised class sizes under 18 for the first three years but delivered that for one in seven kids. Elected to write off student debt she instead trebled it. There are tens of thousands fewer students in colleges. Faced with evidence that Scottish education was in decline compared to other nations, she simply withdrew from international surveys.

She was the health minister who gave up running the NHS to run a referendum campaign instead. Hundreds of GP positions are unfilled; thousands of nursing vacancies are unfilled; local surgeries are only accepting emergency appointments; and accident and emergency departments have the worst-ever waiting times. Even her target for cancer treatment within 62 days has been missed for a decade. She has overseen the worst drug deaths in the developed world and no sign that she has learned the lessons of the previous cuts to drug treatment. Her National Care Service policy is the final failure she will pass on to her successor.

A decade after she posed with a smart ticket with her face on it, there is no sign of the smart ticket promised. After she increased the price of tickets by half, a fifth fewer Scots are travelling by bus. She cut hundreds of services from train timetables. A promise to replace ferries made a decade ago was never delivered, leaving island communities without reliable services. Half a billion pounds later, the ferries she famously launched with painted-on windows and fake funnels still lay rusting in Port Glasgow while she hands long-delayed orders for ferries to shipyards in Turkey.

All this failure and no self-reflection. The purpose of policy for Nicola Sturgeon has been to deliver a press release, not to deliver for the people of Scotland. She was only ever a politician living in the moment - from selfie to selfie - and as such leaves behind no clear positive policy legacy for historians to discuss.

Sturgeon the Politician
Sturgeon’s real and, unfortunately, lasting legacy comes not from her performance or policy achievements but from her style of politics. Great politicians look to create a new consensus, small politicians see only enemies. Sturgeon has revelled in divisions far too much to ever be considered great.

Under her leadership, Scotland has become more polarised; our debate has become tribal and ugly; our policy deliberations divorced from evidence. She never truly challenged the politics of Salmond where the motivations, ideas, and even the very Scottishness of opponents are to be denied.

In the wake of her referendum defeat, Sturgeon should have reached out to the three-quarters of Scots who want to make a success of devolution. She should have made it clear that we are all equally Scottish and worthy of respect. Instead, she chose to strive for a narrow victory rather than a wide accord. Even the most optimistic of nationalists would have to admit that, after Sturgeon’s leadership, the polls show the best result their movement can now hope for is a deeply divided country. Is that really worth all that anger and antagonism?

In her final act as a leader, Nicola Sturgeon has marched her party up the hill of the de facto referendum strategy and then abandoned them there. She should have told them the reason the process of independence had not moved forward is that public opinion has not moved forward. She should have told them that the politics of division will only ever deliver a divided country. Under her leadership, her members’ worst instincts have gone unchallenged. The contest that follows will simply indulge those members even more, marching them further away from a winning strategy.

What’s Next?
Notwithstanding all the above, I wish Nicola Sturgeon well. Whether you are a success or a failure as a political leader, it is hard, unforgiving work - even more so for a woman facing constant misogynistic attacks.

Aside from more altruistic motivations, most politicians have a need inside them that leads them to seek the adulation of the public stage. I’ve always worried that the FM has never seemed as happy as she should be given her electoral success.

Leaving now, she has been denied the one thing that would have made her happiest: seeing her image atop a plinth in some public space renamed Independence Square. As happy as I am about that, I hope she finds fulfilment in whatever she does next. I hope she learns the lesson of her predecessor, that she moves on from Scottish politics, and devotes herself to some international cause that can translate her talents into real change.

As for what comes next, the leadership is John Swinney’s if he wants it. He is one of the only Ministers trusted by Sturgeon enough to actually have real experience in governing. Angus Robertson too will be well placed despite an abysmal record in his short time as a minister and questions of judgement which will resurface. Although both these men offer only continuity when the party needs deeper change.

Humza Yousaf’s once rising star is all but extinguished by his calamitous mismanagement of the NHS. Kate Forbes has long been spoken of as Sturgeon’s preferred successor but will find it hard to escape the same sort of questions that followed Tim Farron around as Lib Dem leader. The parliamentary party may opt for current Deputy Keith Brown, judging that boring is preferable to risky.

The challenges Sturgeon’s successor will face are formidable: the need for wholesale renewal of the SNP’s message, the need to fundamentally rethink the independence case, and the need to transform a failing government.

I don’t envy whoever gets the job.

[hibsbollah]

Being anti-abortion is a viewpoint I passionately disagree with but I think we need to be very careful about what opinions should prevent you from holding office.

We're talking about a potential FM of Scotland here, not an autocratic dictator who makes all the rules.

Saying "you can" and "you can't" based on opinions commonly associated with certain religions is a very slippery slope indeed.

I’d agree with that.

I listened to the following interview with Nick Robinson quite a while ago so can’t remember all the content but i remember she made a clear attempt to say that while she would struggle with certain decisions herself because of her faith, she would be bound by collective responsibility. It’s a good listen.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nG9BeV48EJKsQeFm6Mhwb?si=mKIscRswSECWJMZUdLqjJg

[Just_Jimmy]

The BBC in England are pishing their pants with delight. That tells you everything you need to know.

I'm not pro or anti SNP or even pro or anti sturgeon. As always, there's truth in what both sides say.

Good luck to her moving forward. Hopefully the SNP can find someone who'll be good for Scotland going forward



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[grunt]

The BBC in England are pishing their pants with delight. That tells you everything you need to know.
Of course they are, they've won. They made political life intolerable for her. Not just the BBC, but unionist media everywhere. Just look at the diatribe from Bitter Together posted earlier. Not by countering her politics, but by constant and overwhelming misogynistic abuse. The UK political world is in desperate, desperate trouble.

[hibby rae]

Of course they are, they've won. They made political life intolerable for her. Not just the BBC, but unionist media everywhere. Just look at the diatribe from Bitter Together posted earlier. Not by countering her politics, but by constant and overwhelming misogynistic abuse. The UK political world is in desperate, desperate trouble.

I still remember their campaign during the last referendum of the woman who had better things to think about than politics

[hibby rae]

Being anti-abortion is a viewpoint I passionately disagree with but I think we need to be very careful about what opinions should prevent you from holding office.

We're talking about a potential FM of Scotland here, not an autocratic dictator who makes all the rules.

Saying "you can" and "you can't" based on opinions commonly associated with certain religions is a very slippery slope indeed.

I'd agree. Biden, for example, says he is anti-abortion on a personal level. However, importantly he also recognises a woman's right to have autonomy over her own body.

[grunt]

What a loathsome little slimy bullying toad that Douglas Ross guy is. To think we've got to keep listening to his drivel.

[degenerated]

Of course they are, they've won. They made political life intolerable for her. Not just the BBC, but unionist media everywhere. Just look at the diatribe from Bitter Together posted earlier. Not by countering her politics, but by constant and overwhelming misogynistic abuse. The UK political world is in desperate, desperate trouble.What a state we are in. They allow us to have a parliament but if they don't like it's decisions they just block them and if they don't like our choice of leader they just use their pliant media to hound them out.

[WeeRussell]

What a loathsome little slimy bullying toad that Douglas Ross guy is. To think we've got to keep listening to his drivel.

Yes something feels very unjust about that spineless little cretin continuing to sit making up whines on behalf of his tory chums, while a good honest leader is forced out of the game.

That’s politics for you though.

[Stairway 2 7]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about her

[degenerated]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about herNot paranoid at all, the last while has seen a sustained attack from the UK media far in excess of that I've seen before. It's been absolutely relentless.

[WeeRussell]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about her

The same people will ‘dislike’ whoever is leader of the independence campaign.

I believe she jumped as she’s done. Had enough. A large part of that being a media onslaught. Regardless of what Boris and Truss got.

[Mibbes Aye]

I know some posters really don't like the majority of UK media outlets so this maybe lends a bit of 'through the eyes of others'.

If you're not a subscriber to either paper then you should still get a free view, unless you've already reached your limit for the week or month.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/02/15/world/nicola-sturgeon-scotland-resigns

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/15/scotland-nicola-sturgeon-resigns/

Both papers have their own offices in the UK, London obviously, but still six journalists in total working on the one story.

[Mibbes Aye]

Not paranoid at all, the last while has seen a sustained attack from the UK media far in excess of that I've seen before. It's been absolutely relentless.

You're younger than I thought otherwise you would remember Neil Kinnock.

[Stairway 2 7]

Lizz Truss had a countdown to losing her job vs a lettuce on the mainstream media and about 200 articles slating her, they were correct mind

[hibby rae]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about her

The media took their sweet little time to go after Johnson.

Even today, the amount of coverage and criticism the Tories get is tiny compared to what it would be if the stories were about Labour or SNP politicians.

I remember the coverage of Corbyn not bowing enough at the cenotaph. No mention that he had spent the time after meeting veterans whereas Johnson instead went to a champagne reception

[Stairway 2 7]

The media took their sweet little time to go after Johnson.

Even today, the amount of coverage and criticism the Tories get is tiny compared to what it would be if the stories were about Labour or SNP politicians.

I remember the coverage of Corbyn not bowing enough at the cenotaph. No mention that he had spent the time after meeting veterans whereas Johnson instead went to a champagne reception

The mainstream media is centre right to right they are going to defend the tories unfortunately and they will go constantly for the next snp leader

I don't feel they have changed recently to attack her more. I don't believe she is the type of person to quit because of them. She's had it from all angles about GRA and the Isla Bryson grilling is the first time I've seen her truly flustered by I'd doubt it's that either

[Kato]

Even today, the amount of coverage and criticism the Tories get is tiny compared to what it would be if the stories were about Labour or SNP politicians.



Would like to see an argument against that, just for the lols.

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[Skol]

The timing of todays announcement was a surprise, but the fact it happened wasn’t really. It has been clear for a week or two that this was the direction things were heading in. I had thought it might be after the de facto conference when she chose to stand down.

I hope that this is now an opportunity for Scotland to move forward. It’s a big decision for the snp now to choose who leads them. Is it more of the same, or is it someone with new ideas and who realises they need to focus outwith the core yes vote.

[GreenGray]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about her

You simply can’t compare the treatment Sturgeon got to Johnson.


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[Zambernardi1875]

You simply can’t compare the treatment Sturgeon got to Johnson.


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It’s a crazy comparison, Nicola got slaughtered for standing up in a pub while Boris was knowingly having parties

[Stairway 2 7]

You simply can’t compare the treatment Sturgeon got to Johnson.


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You can't the media are mostly right wing for right wing readers so are going to go after NS and the next FM. But I don't see anything unusual in Sturgeons treatment recently it's pretty consistent. I also don't think she's the type of person that would quit because of the media. It'll be due to public opinion of her parties internal opinion

[He's here!]

Getting a bit paranoid. Leaders get attacked constantly the media went after boris and Truss before they jumped too. Her opinion polls both personally and party have dived and too many Scots disliked her to be a viable leader of the independence campaign. The right wing media have attacked her and the pary for years but it never had an effect on opinion polls before. I really doubt she has jumped because of what the press say about her

Indeed. She's thicker skinned than that, even if she was made to look ridiculous over the Bryson fiasco and deservedly took flak for it. If anyone's laying into her more than usual it's Salmond, who has basically summed up her tenure as a waste of time.

Sturgeon had become a suffocating presence and such a polarising figure in Scottish politics (as she herself acknowledged) that it now feels there's a bit of room to breathe - for now.

[WeeRussell]

Indeed. She's thicker skinned than that, even if she was made to look ridiculous over the Bryson fiasco and deservedly took flak for it. If anyone's laying into her more than usual it's Salmond, who has basically summed up her tenure as a waste of time.

Sturgeon had become a suffocating presence and such a polarising figure in Scottish politics (as she herself acknowledged) that it now feels there's a bit of room to breathe - for now.

Ignoring the rest of the slavers, what quote was it from Salmond that basically called her tenure a waste of time?

Edit**realised who I’ve replied to. No need for a reply, I’ll assume it was made up as a means of trolling.

[Ozyhibby]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/78fc4a24ff600ddf22b8dbeb380b16aa.jpg


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[Kato]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/78fc4a24ff600ddf22b8dbeb380b16aa.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThat could be a post on here, apart from the bit about his fantastic golf facilities obvs.

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[ErinGoBraghHFC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/78fc4a24ff600ddf22b8dbeb380b16aa.jpg


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His courses aren’t that great btw, give me the equivalent money I’d make something twice as good as Turnberry ffs


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[ElginHibbie]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/78fc4a24ff600ddf22b8dbeb380b16aa.jpg


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Can always relay on Donald to lighten the mood by making us laugh

[hibby rae]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/78fc4a24ff600ddf22b8dbeb380b16aa.jpg


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Says a lot that I don't know if this is real or the Daily Mash

[He's here!]

His courses aren’t that great btw, give me the equivalent money I’d make something twice as good as Turnberry ffs


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The course at Turnberry dates from the late 19th century so long before Trump took over. I've heard the course he built near Aberdeen is superb (controversial as its construction was).

[SteveHFC]

https://twitter.com/heartscotnews/status/1625939724639604736?s=46&t=hg5aRqr1bUgKWh9EgLVw0w

The state of this lot 😂😂

[Just_Jimmy]

His courses aren’t that great btw, give me the equivalent money I’d make something twice as good as Turnberry ffs


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIt's not even the greatest golf course in Scotland. Never mind world.

Anyone that pisses off trump is fine by me.

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[GreenGray]

You can't the media are mostly right wing for right wing readers so are going to go after NS and the next FM. But I don't see anything unusual in Sturgeons treatment recently it's pretty consistent. I also don't think she's the type of person that would quit because of the media. It'll be due to public opinion of her parties internal opinion

Remember when she took a mask off for a brief second when she was outside?

If Sturgeon had just one of the many scandals Boris was involved in it would have been news for weeks.


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[Ozyhibby]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/5b84534b764191a61957f05633b4ba19.jpg


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[Glory Lurker]

My word, Trump did actually say that.

Well done on riling that monster, Nicola.

[Bostonhibby]

What a loathsome little slimy bullying toad that Douglas Ross guy is. To think we've got to keep listening to his drivel.Hardly the most popular party leader in Scotland measured by the popular vote, odious little man who had to suffer the ignominy of his boss and party leader Bozo not even taking the trouble to check what his actual name was.

Nonentity.

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[Ozyhibby]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/7cc8fba85ac71230be921763261b2bc6.jpg

Rennie showing a bit of class that eludes other opposition politicians.


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[hibsbollah]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/7cc8fba85ac71230be921763261b2bc6.jpg

Rennie showing a bit of class that eludes other opposition politicians.


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It’s amazing to me that this isn’t just the norm anymore. It’s just good form to do and shows a bit of class.

[He's here!]

Ignoring the rest of the slavers, what quote was it from Salmond that basically called her tenure a waste of time?

Edit**realised who I’ve replied to. No need for a reply, I’ll assume it was made up as a means of trolling.

You might not like what I post but I don't make anything up.

'When asked what was Sturgeon's undoing by Sky's Kay Burley, Salmond said: "She leaves a multitude of problems in terms of policy delivery, the dualling of the A9, mounting problems in health and education, looming difficulties for the bottle return scheme and of course the controversy around the self-ID scheme which was a major mis-step because it was legislation you could detect flaws in to say the least. But none of these are things you don't normally cope with, when you come up against a problem you find another way, you clear the decks. Especially as her policy was to have a de facto referendum at the general election. You'd think that would be your moment, you'd either win it or you'd lose it so it seems an unusual moment for stepping down with the independence movement in a cul de sac.

He added: "There are two questions for the future. One is that the movement has been left with no clear strategy for independence. The previously accepted referendum route has been closed and the de facto referendum proposal is now, at best, up in the air. Secondly, she leaves with no obvious successor."

[Crunchie]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230215/7cc8fba85ac71230be921763261b2bc6.jpg

Rennie showing a bit of class that eludes other opposition politicians.


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Rennie has more faces than Mike Yarwood.

[Stairway 2 7]

It’s amazing to me that this isn’t just the norm anymore. It’s just good form to do and shows a bit of class.

If I was an opposition leader I'd probably have tweeted when boris went, good riddance to a horrible c### now bring in the police for this corrupt git, to be honest but then I do lack some class

[WeeRussell]

You might not like what I post but I don't make anything up.

'When asked what was Sturgeon's undoing by Sky's Kay Burley, Salmond said: "She leaves a multitude of problems in terms of policy delivery, the dualling of the A9, mounting problems in health and education, looming difficulties for the bottle return scheme and of course the controversy around the self-ID scheme which was a major mis-step because it was legislation you could detect flaws in to say the least. But none of these are things you don't normally cope with, when you come up against a problem you find another way, you clear the decks. Especially as her policy was to have a de facto referendum at the general election. You'd think that would be your moment, you'd either win it or you'd lose it so it seems an unusual moment for stepping down with the independence movement in a cul de sac.

He added: "There are two questions for the future. One is that the movement has been left with no clear strategy for independence. The previously accepted referendum route has been closed and the de facto referendum proposal is now, at best, up in the air. Secondly, she leaves with no obvious successor."

For anyone that’s interested or isn’t already aware of He’s neither here nor there’s agenda on these types of threads, he’s conveniently missed out the second half of the quotes on that article where Salmond praises (albeit perhaps grudgingly) NS’s communication, her election-winning ability, and brilliant work during the pandemic.

None of it, good or bad, equates to him saying it’s been a waste of time. Which would hardly have been very telling given his attitude towards her in recent years.