Will the gender reform battle boost support for Scottish independence?
Westminster’s veto has turned a debate over policy into one over Scotland’s power to govern itself.
ByNicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon is a well-known Scottish politician who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2014 until 2023. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland was widely acclaimed, establishing her reputation as a competent and strategic political figure. Although she is no longer First Minister, Sturgeon remains a significant player in Scottish politics and a strong advocate for Scottish independence. Sturgeon was born in 1970 and made history as the first woman to lead her party and to be appointed First Minister of Scotland. Stay up to date with the latest news and commentary on Scottish politics from our Scotland editor Chris Deerin, here.
Rishi Sunak has every right to block Scotland’s gender bill
Ignore the hysteria: this is a matter of nationalist incompetence, not unionist conspiracy.
By
The politics forecast for 2023: A crisis in the Tory party and a Labour reshuffle
Predictions for the year ahead from the New Statesman’s deputy political editor.
By
Does Nicola Sturgeon regret her Scottish independence gamble?
The SNP may announce tests that must be passed before it commits to a “de facto” second referendum.
By
The NHS crisis has left the SNP with nowhere to hide
If Nicola Sturgeon fails to turn the health service around, it may soon be her government that finds itself in…
By
The SNP has no one but itself to blame for the Scottish NHS crisis
The hapless Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has come to resemble a man squashed by a falling piano.
By
Will Westminster thwart the SNP’s gender reform bill?
For Nicola Sturgeon, yet another legal battle with the UK government would be a helpful distraction.
By
What’s behind the surge in support for Scottish independence?
The Supreme Court verdict appears to have increased backing for Yes – but there are deeper changes under way too.
By
Nicola Sturgeon has stoked needless divisions over trans rights
The First Minister has stubbornly refused to debate or even particularly to acknowledge her opponents on gender reform.
By
Is support for Scottish independence resurging?
Nicola Sturgeon seems unable to contemplate departing office without the national question being answered.
By
The SNP must end its addiction to centralisation
Gordon Brown’s proposals are a reminder that under the Scottish nationalists, devolution has stopped at the border.
By
Ian Blackford’s resignation shows Nicola Sturgeon’s grip is slipping
The biggest danger facing the First Minister now is that all this upheaval could poison her legacy.
By
The SNP can do better than Ian Blackford
The party’s Westminster leader seems to belong to a different era to the Nordic-lite social democracy pursued by Nicola Sturgeon.
By
Scottish independence is a fading dream under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon
The First Minister has said the next general election will be a de facto IndyRef2 – a gamble that could…
By
Scotland can never be an equal partner with England, in the Union or outside it
The SNP’s depiction of Scotland as a prisoner of Westminster is shrewd politics, but detached from inescapable realities.
By
Supreme Court defeat should be a signal for Nicola Sturgeon to move on, but she won’t
This futile attempt to get permission for another independence referendum has wasted energy at a time of crisis.
By
Supreme Court rules Nicola Sturgeon cannot hold independence referendum
The judges concluded that Holyrood needs Westminster approval to legislate for a second Scottish independence vote.
By
The problem with late-period Nicola Sturgeon
The First Minister has moved away from pragmatic, moderate governance and back towards the radical left-wing activism of her youth.
By
Nicola Sturgeon targets Keir Starmer’s Brexit vulnerabilities
Will the First Minister’s attempt to paint Labour as being in bed with the Tories still work in a new…
By
Is the SNP truly committed to keeping the monarchy?
Beneath the surface, anti-royalist sentiment endures among Scottish nationalists.
By