Nicola Sturgeon unveiled her resignation as first minister and party leader of the Scottish National Party on February 15. After working under former SNP Leader Alex Salmond from 2004, she eventually rose to party leader by 2014.
Speaking of her resignation, Sturgeon said it was the right time to go and the decision was clear “in my head and heart” after finding the intensity of politics unbearable. Following the Gender Recognition Reform Bill which Sturgeon backed in order to ‘modernise gender recognition’, critics slammed her as it was denounced as an affront to women’s rights.
The Independent reports that she denied the gender identification row (and controversy of the incarceration of biological male rapists in women’s prison) was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. That said, some rallied together to celebrate Sturgeon’s legacy like Lorraine Kelly who called her a “brilliant politician” or Anas Sarwar saying her work was “worthy of respect and thanks.”
What’s clear from responses is that Sturgeon has also sparked great controversy during her premiership as some responses reveal in the following fourteen quotes from political figures.
9. Micheál Martin (Ireland’s deputy leader and foreign affairs minister)
"I extend my best wishes to Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, following the announcement of her resignation. Over many years, Nicola has demonstrated strong leadership rooted in her vision for Scotland. Ireland and Scotland are close neighbours and friends, and I have greatly appreciated and valued my regular engagement with the First Minister, particularly at British-Irish Council summits. I want to wish her all the best and look forward to engaging with her successor in due course." Photo: Submitted
10. Nancy Pelosi (Former speaker of the House of Representatives in the US)
“First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has earned respect and admiration from all over the globe for her strong, values-driven leadership". Pelosi praised her “special focus on gender equality in the climate fight” as well as welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Scotland. Pelosi continued by saying that Nicola Sturgeon has always passionately advocated womens’ rights which helped her forge bonds with female politicians. Pelosi added that Sturgeon had “strongly championed the aspirations of the Scottish people”. Photo: Submitted
11. Susan Aitken (Leader of Glasgow City Council)
"Nicola Sturgeon has been an incredible leader throughout her time as First Minister and her stewardship during the pandemic allowed people to see the care, compassion and intellect she brings to public life... Scotland has been changed for the better by her being in politics and Glasgow is fortunate to have an MSP of such extraordinary courage and conviction... The First Minister has earned the right to leave on her own terms and will remain an inspiration at home and internationally for those who aspire to better their country." Photo: Submitted
12. Donald Trump (Former President of the United States)
“Good riddance to failed woke extremist Nicola Sturgeon of Scotland... This crazed leftist symbolizes everything wrong with identity politics... Sturgeon thought it was OK to put a biological man in a women’s prison, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Sturgeon fought for a ‘Gender Recognition Reform Bill’ that would have allowed 16-year-old children to change their gender without medical advice." Photo: Submitted