Topic: Scottish politics [brought to you in association with Walkers shortbread]

[TepidT2O]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64647907

Britain’s most effective front line politician to go.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

I really thought she would see it through to another Indy vote

[Nobby Reserve]

Seismic

She's the best politician of any of the party leaders. I can foresee a bit of a civil war within the SNP now, as different wings have re-emerged seeking different directions.

Labour will be rubbing its hands.

[Elmo!]

There's been rumours going around but thought she would stick it out. It's a shame, there's certainly been some serious issues with the Scottish Government and the SNP recently, but still think she is the best person to lead the party.

I'm assuming Angus Robertson will be strong favourite to take over.

[Schmarn]

Massive chance for Labour this. Undoubtedly some vicious infighting going on within the SNP. No surprise as they've been dominant for so long and that usually leads eventually to power plays.

[Dr. Beaker]

Very effective politician. The contrast with Johnson stumbling through his notes during COVID and Sturgeon's updates was stark.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Scunnered is the technical term she might use in her speech.

[Red-Soldier]

Big news this!

Wonder if it's been brewing for a while, or did the recent 'trans' rapist up the pressure.

She's our most effective leader, hard to gauge Scottish politics from down here, but I got the impression there were groups within the party.

Really big opportunity for Labour here, I feel.

[KillieRed]

Definitely,  like every party,  there are different factions. The main issue seems to be between those that want to go harder-faster and those that want a measured approach.  Their biggest mistake would be to abandon the left leaning policies that siphoned off a lot of traditional labour votes. Robertson would be a good shout for leader.

[Nobby Reserve]

Big news this!

Wonder if it's been brewing for a while, or did the recent 'trans' rapist up the pressure.

She's our most effective leader, hard to gauge Scottish politics from down here, but I got the impression there were groups within the party.

Really big opportunity for Labour here, I feel.

The 'trans' debate is insoluble, and any political figure that dips a toe in seems to get scalded. Hence why so many seek to repeatedly kick the trans can down the road.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Such a shame, shes the best party leader in the country by a mile.

[Nobby Reserve]

I'm assuming Angus Robertson will be strong favourite to take over.

He can't be; his surname doesn't sound like a fish.

I think it'll be Barry McTuna.

[KillieRed]

The 'trans' debate is insoluble, and any political figure that dips a toe in seems to get scalded. Hence why so many seek to repeatedly kick the trans can down the road.

I have no answer for it, wouldn’t know where to start. The unionist media pounced upon the trans prisoner issue as another stick to beat the SNP with, nary a mention that England & Wales have more trans prisoners per capita than Scotland. The trouble was, as you say, the SNP tried to address the issue.

[Dr. Beaker]

He can't be; his surname doesn't sound like a fish.

I think it'll be Barry McTuna.

Findus Robertson?

[ChrisLFCKOP]

The 'trans' debate is insoluble, and any political figure that dips a toe in seems to get scalded. Hence why so many seek to repeatedly kick the trans can down the road.

Plenty politicians that are supportive of the trans community and don't get the hate she gets.

Sturgeon did some many great things for women in her leaders role, a true advocate for equality.  She will be sorely missed by (most) women and the LGBT+ community.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

There's your first jungle contestant for this year. Poor creepy crawlies won't stand a chance.

[AndyMuller]

Shite news.

[KillieRed]

There's your first jungle contestant for this year. Poor creepy crawlies won't stand a chance.

I actually wonder if she'll stand for MP. I doubt it, but she is a politician at the end of the day.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

I actually wonder if she'll stand for MP. I doubt it, but she is a politician at the end of the day.

She will do her party more good by resigning and get work in the media. I am sure she wouldn't be short of offers.

[west_london_red]

He can't be; his surname doesn't sound like a fish.

I think it'll be Barry McTuna.

 

[Nobby Reserve]

I'd love to see Mhairi Black as leader/First Minister.

(problem being she's a Westminster MP, not an MSP)

But she's great, and delivered one of the best maiden speeches ever.

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

I'd love to see Mhairi Black as leader/First Minister.

(problem being she's a Westminster MP, not an MSP)

But she's great, and delivered one of the best maiden speeches ever.

Totally agree. The best politician around, that I'm aware of.

[stockdam]

I think she should be proud of herself. She’s a great politician and it’s sad to see her leave the job. Life as a politician, especially a party leader, must be very tough and stressful. Everyone is looking for the smallest crack or mistake. It’s a sad reflection of society that such a dedicated and talented politician feels that it is time to step down when the fact is that she still had a lot to offer.

She can hold her head up high and say that she made an impact.

[Red-Soldier]

I think she should be proud of herself. She’s a great politician and it’s sad to see her leave the job. Life as a politician, especially a party leader, must be very tough and stressful. Everyone is looking for the smallest crack or mistake. It’s a sad reflection of society that such a dedicated and talented politician feels that it is time to step down when the fact is that she still had a lot to offer.

She can hold her head up high and say that she made an impact.

Especially when you're a female, Scottish Republican.

[PatriotScouser]

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Fan bloody tastic news!!

Tears of joy her leaving politics. SNP was firstly Salmond and secondly Sturgeon. SNP wither and die now in the next couple of years into nothingness - like they were before 2014/15. They have no one of any gravitas to step up.

[Slick_Beef]

That's a shame, I don't agree with her on plenty of things but she is an impressive and effective politician, which is, unfortunately, increasingly rare.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I'd love to see Mhairi Black as leader/First Minister.

(problem being she's a Westminster MP, not an MSP)

But she's great, and delivered one of the best maiden speeches ever.

She's brilliant.

[fowlermagic]

How she thinks at 52 it's time to go is a strange one. Guess that's working in the civil service as most can retire at 55 but she still surely has ten years left in her. Then again the NZ leader quit at 42 so im guessing both will be richly rewarded in the private sector.

[A-Bomb]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/hU5zmjfqPy8&amp;ab_channel=InContext" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/hU5zmjfqPy8&amp;ab_channel=InContext</a>

Highlight of her career for me 

[classycarra]

What would people who know better than me class as her greatest achievements in her eight years of majority power? (career before that would be welcome too)

[Elmo!]

I have no answer for it, wouldn’t know where to start. The unionist media pounced upon the trans prisoner issue as another stick to beat the SNP with, nary a mention that England & Wales have more trans prisoners per capita than Scotland. The trouble was, as you say, the SNP tried to address the issue.

The SNP and the indy movement have taken an absolute beating in the polls because of it, but I'm certainly they went ahead with anyway as it was the right thing to do, and a manifesto commitment - not to mention it had cross party support. I hope the new leader continues to try and get the legislation  through via the courts.

The trans rapist prison thing was an absolute nonsense story, moral panic whipped up by the media, but unfortunately it has had massive cut through.

You are right about the factions, the old guard (likes of Fergus Ewing, Mike Russell etc) I think are a bit bitter about losing control over the party. I can't see them and the more conservative side of the party winning any leadership election though.

[Elmo!]

I do wonder if its a coincidence she has made this decision shortly after Jacinda Ardern did the same.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

I do wonder if its a coincidence she has made this decision shortly after Jacinda Ardern did the same.

I have thought for a while that dealing with Covid must have taken a mental toll on a lot of the politicians at the centre of it all in 2020.

[KillieRed]

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Fan bloody tastic news!!

Tears of joy her leaving politics. SNP was firstly Salmond and secondly Sturgeon. SNP wither and die now in the next couple of years into nothingness - like they were before 2014/15. They have no one of any gravitas to step up.

How odd. Personally I'm fed up living under a permanent government neither iI, nor my country folk vote for. Scottish independence is the best possible route to escaping Tory rule as Labour will inevitably fuck things up again. After we get independence I hope for a reset and a truly progressive country along the lines of Scandinavia. Make no mistake the UK only exists to protect the interests & borders of England.  I would have been happy with devo-max or federalism,  but they lied about that too. Perhaps it is time to take the gloves off if you're anything to go by.

Never trust anyone who puts Patriot in their name, it's shorthand for right -wing cretin.

[Nobby Reserve]

Never trust anyone who puts Patriot in their name, it's shorthand for right -wing cretin.

[FlashGordon]

Think he/she supports the New-England Patriots 

That outburst however was very strange.

[PatriotScouser]

How odd. Personally I'm fed up living under a permanent government neither iI, nor my country folk vote for. Scottish independence is the best possible route to escaping Tory rule as Labour will inevitably fuck things up again. After we get independence I hope for a reset and a truly progressive country along the lines of Scandinavia. Make no mistake the UK only exists to protect the interests & borders of England.  I would have been happy with devo-max or federalism,  but they lied about that too. Perhaps it is time to take the gloves off if you're anything to go by.

Never trust anyone who puts Patriot in their name, it's shorthand for right -wing cretin.

Firstly regarding my name.......I am from the good ol' Boston, USA thus I support the NE Patriots NFL team and moved to the UK over 20 years ago now, but I digress as my post history will show my political leanings in terms of this country. I don't talk about US politics on this forum much because I come here to get away from that. But I am a Democratic Party member and support Labour in this country because that's where my values lie.

My values don't lie with sympathy for any politician within the SNP a party with no morals, no values and no principles and no policies except for Independence. Since they got into power in Scotland, that once great nation has been turned into  a shambles on the NHS on education on everything. The SNP are no better than the tories or the Republicans and all its politicians can do one.

[Elmo!]

Firstly regarding my name.......I am from the good ol' Boston, USA thus I support the NE Patriots NFL team and moved to the UK over 20 years ago now, but I digress as my post history will show my political leanings in terms of this country. I don't talk about US politics on this forum much because I come here to get away from that. But I am a Democratic Party member and support Labour in this country because that's where my values lie.

My values don't lie with sympathy for any politician within the SNP a party with no morals, no values and no principles and no policies except for Independence. Since they got into power in Scotland, that once great nation has been turned into  a shambles on the NHS on education on everything. The SNP are no better than the tories or the Republicans and all its politicians can do one.

I'd maybe spend a bit more time getting clued up on whats happening in Scotland before going on such deranged rants.

I guess it's understandable being so clueless from that far away.

[liverbloke]

the end of any foreseeable independence then?

for her as a woman not reading the room regarding women and trans - well it was a point of no return and weakened her character

all trans women may be women but not all women are trans women

it's a hot potato that i wouldn't like to handle

[Nobby Reserve]

the end of any foreseeable independence then?

for her as a woman not reading the room regarding women and trans - well it was a point of no return and weakened her character

all trans women may be women but not all women are trans women

it's a hot potato that i wouldn't like to handle

At risk of stomping into this with size 19's, isn't the issue that most women have not with transitioned women, but with people who are still biologically men who 'self-identify' as women? It's certainly open to abuse by men who are not transgender but claim to be for nefarious reasons.