Nicola Sturgeon resigns latest: Scotland’s first minister insists recent ‘pressures’ not reason for quitting

Large disparities in communities’ core spending power in the poorest and wealthiest areas, caused by past austerity measures, have narrowed only slightly over the past two years, a new analysis shows.

Data shared exclusively with the PA news agency shows that reliance on council taxes to fund frontline services continues to offer local authorities in affluent areas financial protection, raising questions about the government’s alignment agenda.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced her retirement, saying that “in my mind and in my heart I know the time is now”.

She insisted recent “last minute pressure” had not played any role in her departure.

Then why did she quit? Our political correspondent adam woods Reports:

Scotland’s first minister said she would not comment on who she wants to succeed as SNP leader.

Responding to questions from reporters after announcing her intention to step down, Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is a question that no matter how many times you ask me over the next few weeks, no matter how many inventive ways you find to ask it, I won’t say who I prefer as successor.

“What I do know is that the SNP is inundated with talented individuals.

“One of the things I’ve thought about a lot is that when a political party, any political party in any country, has very dominant individuals, others – through no fault of the dominant person, I should say, and often not for lack try it – get blacked out.

“So what I’m looking forward to, and I think the country is going to enjoy over the next few weeks, is to see that talent and to see that line of talent.”

She added: “I think I’ve brought this country closer to independence, I think we’re in the final stages of this journey.

“I believe that my successor, whoever he or she is, will lead Scotland to independence and I will cheer for him or her every step of the way.”

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has called for “reform and healing” in her party, urging her to respond to the resignation of Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon “in a way that is good for the country and for the independence cause”.

“It is important that (the SNP) reacts to #NicolaSturgeon’s resignation in a way that benefits the country and the cause of independence,” the Edinburgh South West MP tweeted.

“Our party needs a leadership election that is about politics, not personalities.

“We must restore the SNP’s tradition of internal party democracy, open respectful debate and intellectual rigour, and we must also put the well-being of all people living in Scotland back at the center of our concerns.

“Our country and our government are facing major challenges. There is also a need for reform and healing within our party. I look forward to playing my part in this process.”

Ian Blackford, Scottish MP and former leader of the SNP at Westminster, said Nicola Sturgeon was “the best First Minister Scotland has ever had”.

“Nicola Sturgeon is the best First Minster Scotland has ever had and the best friend anyone could ask for,” he tweeted.

“When Scotland becomes independent it will have been its architect and builder. She laid the foundation on which we are all standing now.

“We owe it to her to finish the job.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has thanked Nicola Sturgeon “for her many years” of public service.

“I wish her all the best in her next steps,” he said.

“We will continue to work closely with @scotgov in our joint effort to reach people across Scotland.”

Sturgeon ends by paying homage to the Scottish people “whether you voted for me or not”.

She says serving the country has been the “privilege of my life”.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing that I do in the future even comes close,” she adds.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

She says support must “keep growing” if Scotland is to thrive outside the UK when it eventually leaves.

FM says her party must bridge the political divide to achieve this.

“My verdict now is that a new leader will be able to do that.”

FM says one of the difficulties in her decision was that she was “confident” of leading her party to further electoral success.

She points out that the SNP is way ahead of other parties in the polls as of this writing.

But the longer a leader stays in office, Sturgeon adds, the more opinions about them become “fixed” and “very difficult to change.”

Sturgeon says polls come and go before saying she believes there is now a “majority” for independence.

But that support needs to be consolidated, she adds.

Sturgeon says her views as a leader will carry “enormous” and likely “crucial” weight when the SNP conference convenes next month.

She cannot “in good conscience” force her party to choose an option she supports, but which she cannot “follow through”.

FM adds that its decision to resign gives the SNP “freedom” to choose its own course on a de facto referendum.