An opportunity for Scottish Labour?published at 12:32 Greenwich Mean Time 15 February 2023

12:32 GMT 15 February 2023

Nick Eardley
Chief political correspondent

In the devolution era, few leaders outside Westminster had the profile of Nicola Sturgeon.

Trying to emulate that will be a key challenge for whoever comes next as Scotland's first minister. It won't be easy.

Her departure will also have many wondering what the impact of the UK-wide political picture will be.

The SNP's political opponents will see this as an opportunity.

Labour is eyeing a resurgence in Scotland and believes it will have to win a lot more seats north of the border to take power at Westminster. Some believe Ms Sturgeon's departure will do them no harm.

One senior figure told me: "It's good for us, the biggest impediment to us turning it around in Scotland was Nicola Sturgeon".

The SNP's current independence strategy is also now very much in question.

Will Sturgeon's preferred plan - to use the next general election as a de facto referendum - survive her departure?

Possibly not - and that will have an impact on the constutional debate.

Nicola Sturgeon said there was a wealth of talent within the SNP, though refused to back a successor. So who are the people who might replace her?

• John Swinney: The deputy first minister is the most experienced option open to the SNP, given he has actually led the party before.
• Kate Forbes: The finance secretary has had a meteoric rise through the ranks of government. She was dropped into the job following the surprise resignation of Derek Mackay and was left to deliver the 2020 Scottish Budget with just hours notice.
• Angus Robertson: He has held leadership roles in the SNP before, having headed its Westminster group in a previous life as an MP. Many believe Mr Robertson may see himself as a future first minister. The question may be whether that view is widespread among his colleagues.
• Humza Yousaf: The health secretary is part of a newer generation of SNP figures, having become a Glasgow MSP in 2011.

Read more here on those who might take the top job.

Image source, Number 10 Downing Street

Politicians across the political divide have also been reacting to Nicola Sturgeon's resignation announcement.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked her "for her long-standing service", adding on Twitter: "We will continue to work closely with the scotgov on our joint efforts to deliver for people across Scotland."

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said she was "a once in a generation politician, driven by an unwavering passion for her country".

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Sturgeon was an "able politician" and led Scotland through some of the most "challenging times" in recent history.

While Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill paid tribute "to the huge strides she has made in advancing the campaign for Scottish independence, the strong stance against Brexit and the undermining of devolution by the Tories in London".

Reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation speech has been pouring in from SNP MPs, including party president Michael Russell who hailed her “extraordinary and brilliant leadership”.

Former SNP leader in the House of Commons Ian Blackford said Sturgeon was "the finest first minster Scotland has ever had, and the finest friend anyone could hope for".

"When Scotland wins independence, she will have been its architect and builder. She has laid the foundations we all now stand on. We owe it to her to finish the job."

Amy Callaghan, MP for East Dunbartonshire, said Sturgeon was “a personal inspiration to many” and “a trailblazer”.

“Scotland has never had a leader like this. Unbeatable, unflappable, always there to speak up for her nation. She will be missed,” tweeted Perth and North Perthshire MP Peter Wishart.

While Joanna Cherry, MP for Edinburgh South West, says: “It is vital that the SNP reacts to the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon in a way that is beneficial to the country and the cause of independence. Our party needs a leadership election that is about policies and not personalities.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack calls Nicola Sturgeon a "formidable politician" and thanked her for her service over the last eight years.

He says he wants to see a Scottish government that "works hand in hand" with the UK government.

The first minister said her decision had arisen from a "deeper and longer term assessment" than recent political pressures, and that she'd been wrestling with it for "some weeks".

It's clear this was not a sudden decisionpublished at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 February 2023

11:56 GMT 15 February 2023

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

That Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation has come today is, clearly, a surprise to just about everyone in Scottish politics.

But listening to her actually announce it, it is clear this was not a decision she came to overnight.

This Bute House speech was not drafted at the last minute. She was not up all night writing it.

There were deep thoughts in there about personal leadership and the wider state of politics which Sturgeon has clearly been kicking around in her head for months.

Sturgeon confirms she intends to stay in parliament until the next election and says she looks forward to serving her constituency

She says she is looking forward to "a different way of living life".

She concludes questions and leaves the room.

Image source, PA Media

Sturgeon is asked when she first began thinking about quitting her role as first minister.

"I've been thinking about it with oscillating intensity," she says with a smile.

"A couple of weeks ago it started to crystallise a bit more."

And although she "couldn't pinpoint the exact moment", a funeral for 89-year-old independence campaigner Allan Angus yesterday had a "clarifying effect" on her thinking.

Image source, PA Media

Division within the party is the next question for Nicola Sturgeon, asked by ITV. Did certain key members lose trust in her leadership?

The FM responds that even during tough times, she enjoyed approval ratings after eight years in government that "most leaders would give their right arm for".

She acknowledges that the longer any leader is in office "the more people will find things to disagree with you on".

"But I believe I could, if it was just about can I lead this part [and] country forward...the answer is yes. But it is much deeper than that," she adds.

BBC Scotland editor James Cook says the NHS is under pressure, the attainment gap is wider and the FM is nowhere near getting the sustained level of support required for independence.

"Do you have regrets about one or indeed any of those issues?"

Sturgeon replies: "I'm a human being...of course I've got regrets about all sorts of things".

There are things she is "hugely proud of" and "things that I regret".

She says: "I'm proud of my time as first minister."

However the future of the country is what matters and it's time for someone else.

Sturgeon says she will be 53 this year and has been "Nicola Sturgeon the politician all my life".

"Maybe I want to spend a bit of time on Nicola Sturgeon the human being. Does that sound selfish? I hope it doesn't."

Questioned on what has changed since she said a few weeks ago she would not quit, and whether concerns surrounding her party's finances were an issue, Sturgeon again insists her decision is not a result of short-term pressures.

But she says she is a human being dealing with conflicting emotions.

"I could go on for another few months, six months, a year maybe, but I know as time passed, I would have less and less energy to give to the job," Sturgeon admits. "I owe it to the country to say it now."

Sky News touches on the row around transgender prisoners. The FM is asked whether this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

She is also asked - was it a failure of her leadership not to deliver independence?

Sturgeon says she will "leave other people to judge" her record and says "no, that issue wasn't the final straw".

"It's not the case that this decision is because of short-term issues," she insists.

She does regret not being able to bring a "rational approach" to debates, but cites her track record of standing up for women's rights and marginalised groups in society.

Again, she avoids being drawn into questions about transgender issues.

Nicola Sturgeon has now concluded her resignation speech and is facing questions from reporters gathered in Bute House.

First up is the BBC'S Glen Campbell who asks Sturgeon, if she can't lead Scotland to independence, who can? And what is the timetable for her successor being chosen?

Sturgeon replies that the issue of her replacement is one for the SNP national executive committee which will set out a timetable for choosing a new party leader.

She adds that she will not be naming her top choice for the role.

On independence, Sturgeon says she believes she has led the country closer to her goal, adding: "I believe we are in the final phase."

"I firmly believe that my successor will lead Scotland to independence," she says.

A reminder that you can watch Nicola Sturgeon's news conference live by clicking the play button above.

She's now taking questions from journalists.

Image source, PA Media

Sturgeon says she is not leaving politics and will continue with personal campaigns.

"And obviously there is independence," she says, adding that she is "convinced the cause is being won".

Citing her achievements while in office, Sturgeon claims: "Scotland is fairer today than it was in 2015. There is so much that I am proud of, but there is always so much more to be done."

Close to tears, Sturgeon thanks her husband and family - "my rock throughout" - and the SNP and people of Scotland.

"Please know that being your first minister has been the privilege of my life," she says.

Ms Sturgeon says she has found public opinions about her have become "barriers" to debate

She says issues that are controversial "end up almost irrationally so" - though makes no specific reference to Scotland's gender reforms.

She says issues are seen through the "prism" of what people think about her and calls on politicians to "reset the tone and the tenor of our discourse".

Sturgeon continues saying her preference for using the next general election as a de facto referendum is well known.

The FM says the "decision must be taken by the SNP collectively".

She refers to the special SNP conference next month and says "I free the SNP to choose the right path".

Image source, PA Media

Leading Scotland through Covid was "by far the toughest thing I've done", Sturgeon admits adding that the "weight of responsibility was immense".

She speaks of "physical and mental impact" the role has had on her, and referring to the "nature and scale" of Scotland's challenges, she says there needs to be "energy" to political leadership.

Standing down is her duty at this "critical moment", she says, at a time when the "blocking" of second referendum is a "democratic outrage".

Sturgeon alludes to the pressures of the job, saying it is hard "and at times relentlessly so".

She says: "I'm not expecting violins here but I am a human being as well as a politician."

Speaking about having more time for family, she adds: "Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it."

She says the job can only be done for so long, and in her case, is "in danger of becoming too long".

She touches on the lack of privacy in the job, saying going for a coffee or meeting friends is difficult - and mentions the "brutality" of life as a politician.