Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her decision to stand down as an MSP, confirming she will not seek re-election in the 2026 Holyrood election.
In a statement shared on social media, the ex-SNP leader described her time in the Scottish Parliament as a “privilege beyond words”. Speaking to BBC Scotland News, she stated:
“The time is right for me at this stage in my life to close the book on that chapter and open a new one.”
Scotland’s Longest-Serving First Minister Bows Out
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister and the first woman to hold the role, resigned in March 2023 after an eight-year tenure. Her departure triggered a turbulent period for both her and the Scottish National Party (SNP).
In June 2023, she was arrested and later released without charge as part of a police investigation into SNP finances—a case in which she maintains she has done nothing wrong.
The scandal deepened when her husband, Peter Murrell, the SNP’s long-time chief executive, was charged with embezzling party funds. The couple later announced their separation in January 2024.
Political Impact and the Road Ahead
Under Sturgeon’s leadership, the SNP secured historic election victories, including the landslide 2015 UK General Election win, where the party took 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats.
However, her independence ambitions were dealt a major blow when the UK Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that Holyrood could not unilaterally hold another referendum.
While stepping away from frontline politics, Sturgeon remains committed to the cause of Scottish independence, though her next steps remain unclear.
With her departure, Scottish politics enters a new era, as the SNP faces ongoing challenges in governance, public trust, and the independence movement’s future.
