"We have seen a rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Scotland over the past 10 days," she told Parliament. Nicola Sturgeon was born on July 19, 1970 in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. Divide and conquer is a strategy the British establishment has frequently used with great effect to achieve their ends. [302], Speaking after Johnson had resigned in 2022, Sturgeon said that he was the only prime minister she had worked with who was a disgrace to the office". After the SNPs success in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, Ms Sturgeon became Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary. Sturgeon was a quiet child and has been described by her younger sister as "the sensible one" of the two. The down side is that you just end up talking about it all the time and you never leave it outside. [147][148][149] Since then restrictions have been frequently tightened, loosened and adapted in parts or all of Scotland to respond to developments in the situation. Just as Theresa May was preparing to trigger the formal Brexit process, Ms Sturgeon launched her bid for Indyref2. [303][304], At the beginning of Sturgeon's political career, she was often regarded as a "nippy sweetie", Scottish slang for the "sharp-tongued and strong-minded". [201][202], Sturgeon was nominated for the post of First Minister by a vote of the Scottish Parliament on 18 May, defeating Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie by 64 votes to 31 and 4 respectively. [300][301], Sturgeon's attempts to request approval for a second referendum on Scottish independence were declined by the Johnson administration. [120] Previously, May and David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland, have both highlighted that as the negotiations begin with the European Union on the United Kingdom's withdraw, it is important for Scotland to work with the UK Government to get the best exit deal for both the United Kingdom and Scotland, stating that "now is not the time for another referendum".[121]. However, in June 2017, the SNP leader confirmed in an. [101], Sturgeon led the Scottish National Party through a landslide victory in the 2015 UK general election, winning 56 out of 59 Scottish seats at Westminster, the party's best ever performance. [40] Sturgeon quickly grew a reputation in Holyrood as opposition leader, becoming known as "nippy sweetie" Scottish slang for the "sharp-tongued and strong-minded". Please report any comments that break our rules. "[267], Following the death of the Queen Elizabeth II, Sturgeon led tributes to the Queen. The success continued in the 2016 Holyrood elections but then the Leave vote in the EU referendum shook everything up. [257] With London seeking to restrict immigration to the United Kingdom, she asserted that Scotland should be able to set its own immigration policy, as well as policies relating to employment and trade. [15][16] Her younger sister, Gillian Sturgeon, is an NHS worker. SNP convener Derek Mackay publicly congratulated Sturgeon as de facto leader in waiting, saying that she would be "a fantastic new leader" for both the SNP and for Scotland. She also served as Cabinet Secretary for Health, Infrastructure, and Parliament. For Nicola Sturgeon, the only thing that matter about her marriage is that it is to the chief executive of the SNP- which matters a great deal in the recent fuss about who in the party knew what and when about Alex Salmond. [34] The political columnist Iain Macwhirter declared that while she "didn't inspire great warmth", she was "quick on her feet, lacks any ideological baggage and has real determination unlike Roseanna Cunningham". Issuing apologies now is too late for thousands of people. She served successively as the SNP's shadow minister for education, health, and justice. ", "Covid in Scotland: Inadequate preparations for Covid, says watchdog", "Scottish government inadequately prepared for Covid watchdog", "Covid in Scotland: Places of worship can open now after court win", "Church leaders pile pressure on Sturgeon to lift public worship ban", "Scotland's Covid death toll officially passes 10,000", "The full picture of Covid-linked deaths in Scotland's care homes", "Nicola Sturgeon leads calls for Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to resign", "Nicola Sturgeon demands Boris Johnson resigns after Prime Minister fined", "Police speak to Nicola Sturgeon over mask breach", "Police Scotland takes 'no further action' on Nicola Sturgeon following face mask complaint", "Covid in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon gets police warning but no fine after mask law break", "Health boards told to fill 15 million cut in funding for drug and alcohol care", "Proposed cuts on funding for drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Scotland", "Drug deaths in Scotland rose by 23% in 2016", "Scotland's drug deaths rise to new record", "Sturgeon: We took our eye off the ball on drug deaths", "Deaths among homeless people in Scotland up 10%", "Drug deaths in Scotland reach new record level", "Scotland: Drug deaths hit record level for seventh year in a row here's what the data shows", "Nicola Sturgeon accused of ignoring drug deaths epidemic in Scotland", "Scottish government under pressure as drug deaths fell by just nine in 2021", "Drug deaths in Scotland fall by one per cent but are still second highest ever recorded", "Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish education 'not good enough', "Nicola Sturgeon: Judge me on education record", "Attainment gap remains wide and better education data needed | Audit Scotland", "School attainment gap 'remains wide', watchdog warns", "Nicola Sturgeon makes gender recognition pledge", "Scottish transgender reforms put on hold", "Several women 'close to quitting SNP over gender recognition plans', "Joanna Cherry accuses SNP colleagues of 'performative histrionics' over transgender issue", "Anger over trans woman on all-female SNP shortlist", "SNP civil war deepens as leading Sturgeon critic Joanna Cherry purged from Westminster team", "Transgender reforms shelved due to coronavirus pandemic", "Why has the SNP been accused of 'transphobic views' and who is Teddy Hope? [36] The majority of the SNP hierarchy lent their support to the SalmondSturgeon bid for the leadership, although MSP Alex Neil backed Salmond as leader, but refused to endorse Sturgeon as depute. [] I can think of no greater privilege than to seek to lead the party I joined when I was just 16. Photograph: Manuel Vazquez/The Guardian Scotland's first minister is one of the most capable, if divisive, politicians of her era. [78] In July 2014 Sturgeon said this would put at risk the right of EU citizens to continue living in Scotland: "There are 160,000 EU nationals from other states living in Scotland, including some in the Commonwealth Games city of Glasgow. ", "Nicola Sturgeon says transphobia in SNP 'not acceptable', "Nicola Sturgeon: transphobia in SNP is 'not acceptable' video", "Trans rights: How gender recognition reform became one of Scotland's most heated debates", "Nicola Sturgeon facing backlash over proposed gender legislation", "Nicola Sturgeon dismisses concerns over gender reforms as 'not valid', "SNP to seek Scottish independence vote after election victory", "Scottish election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon celebrates 'historic' SNP election win", "SNP wins election, but just one seat short of overall majority", "John Swinney to be minister for Covid recovery", "Sturgeon to attend council proclaiming King Charles as monarch", "Nicola Sturgeon to attend accession of King Charles III on Saturday", "SNP and Scottish Greens confirm power-sharing deal in historic moment for Greens", "Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to serve as ministers in Nicola Sturgeon's Government", "Sturgeon urges UK government to reassess Cambo oil field plan", "Shetland oilfield is a drop in the ocean", "Nicola Sturgeon 'hiding behind PM' on Cambo oilfield, say climate groups", "Nicola Sturgeon: Cambo oil field should not get green light", "Scottish island ferry crossings cancelled as wind and rain batter West Coast", "Ferry service has racked up more than 4,500 cancelled sailings in the last three-and-half years", "Scots bride's wedding saved after ferry nightmare left ceremony on the rocks", "Ferry disruption hits Arran hotels | Scottish Licensed Trade News", "Islanders hire fishing boats and RIBs after CalMac cancellations | Wetherspoon chief goes on attack over VAT | Hospitality group launches recruitment drive", "How are ferry problems affecting people on Barra? [122] Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all plans for another referendum have been put on hold. [67], To tackle Scotland's poor relationship with alcohol, Sturgeon passed legislation to increase the price of alcohol per units to help reduce sales, in particular, for those addicted. Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon (born 19 July 1970) is a Scottish politician serving as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2014. Furthermore, they concluded that the Scottish Government had awarded the contracts without normal financial safeguards and presided over a "multitude of failings". Nicola Sturgeon, photographed in Bute House, Edinburgh, last month. The reception She has received today, demonstrates that that admiration and affection is certainly felt here in Scotland. [225][226][224] Key documentation, which might have explained why ministers signed the contracts without appropriate safeguards to protect taxpayers' money, was lost and Sturgeon later said this too was "regrettable" and that "the Government will learn lessons. As Mr Salmond was an MP in Westminster, Ms Sturgeon carved out her own profile as the SNPs Holyrood leader. [20] Sturgeon was a fan of Wham! One particular problem it highlighted was that not enough had been done to ensure Scottish hospitals and care homes had enough personal protective equipment. [307], Sturgeon was elected leader of the SNP at a time the party enjoyed a surge in membership. Following the defeat of the Yes Scotland campaign in the referendum, Salmond resigned and Sturgeon was elected unopposed as SNP leader in November 2014 and appointed as first minister. Editors' Code of Practice. How Labour's Emily Thornberry was attacked for divisive Iran comments, Nicola Sturgeon's surprise inspiration for political career exposed, Nicola Sturgeon entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Nicola Sturgeon was deputy leader of the SNP when Alex Salmond was leader, How Jess Phillips clashed with Diane Abbott I told her to f*** off', Roy Jenkins chilling prediction about Labour Party's future exposed, Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament, How Iran praised Jeremy Corbyn for shaking British ruling class, How Labour's Ian Lavery hit out at 'football hooliganism' conviction, Emily Thornberry's absurd Iran letter exposed, Dennis Skinners damning prediction about Queen Elizabeth II revealed, How Tony Blair admitted he make a mistake with Scottish devolution, Ian Blackford accused of 'staggering hypocrisy' over 50k other jobs, How Scottish independence march could ruin 700-year-old anniversary. Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, stood for election. The victims of drugs and their families were failed. The SNP won the highest number of seats in the Scottish Parliament in the 2007 election and Salmond was subsequently appointed first minister. Tories accused Nicola Sturgeon of 'weaponising vulnerable children' to further her separatist drive today. [185] In some local authorities the attainment gap between the richest and poorest students had widened. Sturgeon immediately announced that she would be a candidate in the election to replace him, and received huge support from the SNP hierarchy. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. The first confirmed case of the virus in Scotland was announced on 1 March 2020, when a resident in Tayside had tested positive. Popularity Nicola Sturgeon mocks 'nippy sweetie' nickname in brilliant tweet#Brexit#Brexit_news#Brexit_UK#EU#UK You can unsubscribe at any time. [86], On 24 September 2014, Sturgeon officially launched her campaign bid to succeed Salmond as Leader of the Scottish National Party at the November leadership election. "[154], In April 2020 whistle-blowers in the NHS came forward to reveal that staff were being made to reuse dirty personal protective equipment (PPE) while at work. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. This will be the last chance of gaining independence for a generation. ", "The triumph of Nicola Sturgeon | Ian Jack", "Nicola Sturgeon: 'The most dangerous woman in Britain? [276] She has at various points commented on the behaviour or attitudes of men towards women; publicly condemning Donald Trump,[277] Tony Abbott[278] and former Labour MSP Neil Findlay. In 2004, Sturgeon announced she would stand as a candidate for the leadership of the SNP, however, she later withdrew from the contest in favour of Alex Salmond, standing instead as depute (deputy) leader on a joint ticket with Salmond. She also promised to hold a monthly Facebook question and answer session with members of the public, regular town hall meetings and that the Scottish Cabinet would meet outside Edinburgh once every two months. [324], In May 2022, Sturgeon tested positive for COVID-19. She also served as a member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and the Health and Community Care Committee. "The basic values of integrity and decency - essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy - demand that he go," she tweeted. [293][294] In July 2019, the prime minister met Sturgeon at her official residence, Bute House, where Johnson was "booed and heckled" by protesters. [189][190][191], In April 2020, the reforms were again delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The SNP gained a seat in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, winning 64 seats, but fell one seat short of a majority. Likewise, she also holds the leader of the Scottish National Party position. [237][238], In October 2022, Sturgeon launched her government's third independence paper, which outlines the currency in an independent Scotland and joining the EU. [20] She developed a passion for books and reading which continued into adult life. In Alex Salmond's shadow cabinet, she served as Shadow Minister for Children and Education from 1999 to 2000. [265][failed verification], Sturgeon is a constitutional monarchist, telling journalists that it is "a model that has many merits". During her time at the University of Glasgow she was active as a member of the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association and the Glasgow University Students' Representative Council. In June 2017, Sturgeon criticised the approaches taken by both Theresa May and the British Government towards the Brexit approach, claiming that May "will struggle" as she is a "difficult person to build a rapport with". The Scottish First Minister said she hadn't heard of the nickname before but claimed the alleged remark is "meant as a term of abuse". [172] In December 2020 figures were released revealing that 1,264 people in Scotland had died from drug overdoses in 2019 the highest number in Europe per head and more than double the number in 2014. Scotland would then have to reapply for EU membership and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso predicted this would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible". [182] In particular, she said she hoped to focus on closing the attainment gap between the richest and poorest children in Scottish schools, telling journalists: "Let me be clear I want to be judged on this. In her second term, she oversaw more taxation powers, including the introduction of the Scottish National Investment Bank and Social Security Scotland. [200] The SNP won a fourth consecutive election, albeit short of an overall majority, with a record number of votes on both the constituency and regional vote[failed verification] as well as increasing their share of the constituency vote and making a net gain of one seat. [58] Sturgeon stated there was "no immediate threat to public health in Scotland", but added, "monitoring of those who have been in close contact with the two people is also being carried out as an additional precaution. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? [52] She reversed the decision to close casualty units at University Hospital Ayr and University Hospital Monklands. However, Ms Sturgeon did not back down and after Boris Johnson won the election in December last year, she wrote to him claiming that her own partys success in Scotland 48 out of 59 seats is enough impetus for another referendum.

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