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{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name = Nicola Sturgeon
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Scottish Parliament|MSP]]
| image = Nicola Sturgeon 2019 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Sturgeon in 2019
| order = <!--Order is used for U.S. politicians. Please do not add.-->
| office = [[First Minister of Scotland]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| deputy = [[John Swinney]]
| term_start = 20 November 2014
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Alex Salmond]]
| successor =
| office1 = [[Leader of the Scottish National Party]]
| deputy1 = [[Stewart Hosie]]<br />[[Angus Robertson]]<br />[[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]
| term_start1 = 14 November 2014
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Alex Salmond
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]]
| firstminister2 = Alex Salmond
| term_start2 = 17 May 2007
| term_end2 = 19 November 2014
| predecessor2 = [[Nicol Stephen, Baron Stephen|Nicol Stephen]]
| successor2 = John Swinney
| office3 = [[Scottish National Party#Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party|Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party]]
| leader3 = Alex Salmond
| term_start3 = 3 September 2004
| term_end3 = 14 November 2014
| predecessor3 = [[Roseanna Cunningham]]
| successor3 = [[Stewart Hosie]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|last=yes|Ministerial offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder
|embed = yes
| office4 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]]
| firstminister4 = Alex Salmond
| term_start4 = 5 September 2012
| term_end4 = 19 November 2014
| predecessor4 = [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]]
| successor4 = [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]
| office5 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]]
| firstminister5 = Alex Salmond
| term_start5 = 17 May 2007
| term_end5 = 5 September 2012
| predecessor5 = [[Andy Kerr (Scottish politician)|Andy Kerr]]
| successor5 = [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| office6 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Glasgow Southside (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Southside]]<br/> {{nobold|[[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] (2007–2011)}}
| term_start6 = 3 May 2007
| term_end6 =
| predecessor6 = [[Gordon Jackson (politician)|Gordon Jackson]]
| successor6 =
| majority6 = 9,593 (38.5%)
| office7 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Glasgow]]<br />{{nobold|(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)}}
| term_start7 = 6 May 1999
| term_end7 = 3 May 2007
| predecessor7 =
| successor7 =
| birth_name = Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|7|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], [[Ayrshire]], [[Scotland]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| signature = 20200228180454!Signature of Nicola Sturgeon - Edited.png
| party = [[Scottish National Party]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Peter Murrell]]|16 July 2010}}
| children =
| parents = {{plain list|
* Robin Sturgeon
* Joan Kerr Ferguson
}}
| residence = [[Bute House]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Glasgow]]
| cabinet = * [[First Sturgeon government]]
* [[Second Sturgeon government]]
| website = [https://firstminister.gov.scot/ First Minister of Scotland]
| footnotes = {{notelist}}
}}
{{Nicola Sturgeon Sidebar}}
'''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. She has been a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) since 1999, first as an [[additional member system|additional member]] for the [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Glasgow electoral region]], and as the member for [[Glasgow Southside (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Southside]] (formerly [[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]]) from 2007.
A law graduate of the [[University of Glasgow]], Sturgeon worked as a [[solicitor]] in [[Glasgow]]. After being elected to the Scottish Parliament, she served successively as the SNP's shadow minister for education, health, and justice. In 2004 she announced that she would stand as a candidate for the leadership of the SNP following the resignation of [[John Swinney]]. However, she later withdrew from the contest in favour of [[Alex Salmond]], standing instead as [[wikt:depute|depute]] (deputy)<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> leader on a joint ticket with Salmond.
Both were subsequently elected, and as Salmond was still an MP in the House of Commons, Sturgeon led the SNP in the Scottish Parliament from 2004 to 2007. The SNP won the highest number of seats in the Scottish Parliament in [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|the 2007 election]] and Salmond was subsequently appointed First Minister. He appointed Sturgeon as [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] and [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]]. She was appointed as [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]] in 2012. Following the defeat of the [[Yes Scotland]] campaign in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum]], Salmond resigned and Sturgeon was [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|elected unopposed as SNP leader in November 2014]] and appointed as First Minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resignation-nicola-sturgeon-destiny|title=Alex Salmond's resignation could give Nicola Sturgeon her day of destiny|author=Libby Brooks|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 September 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209154913/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resignation-nicola-sturgeon-destiny|archive-date=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011421|title=The transition from Alex Salmond to Nicola Sturgeon|first=Glenn|last=Campbell|work=BBC News|date=13 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117032228/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011421|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref>
Sturgeon led the SNP through the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] when it enjoyed a surge in support, recording a number of swings of over 30% from Labour, as it won 56 of the 59 Scottish seats and replaced the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] as the third-largest party in the [[British House of Commons]]. In the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016 election]], the SNP was returned as the largest single party in the [[Scottish Parliament]] but fell two seats short of a majority. Sturgeon secured a second term as First Minister, forming an SNP [[minority government]]. In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 UK referendum on EU membership]], Scotland voted by 62% to remain in the [[European Union]], despite [[Brexit]] receiving 52% of the vote across the UK.{{efn|In the [[Brexit referendum]], a majority of voters in every local authority area in Scotland voted to remain in 2016.}} After the vote to leave the EU, Sturgeon's government has [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|proposed a second referendum on independence]]. As First Minister, Sturgeon has been leading the [[Scottish Government]]'s response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland]] since 2020.
==Early life and education==
Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/29961.aspx|title=11 May Vol. 1, No. 1 Session 4|date=23 June 2011|website=www.scottish.parliament.uk|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130014/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/29961.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> was born in [[Ayrshire Central Hospital]] in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], on 19 July 1970.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lockhart |first1=Keely |last2=Daunt |first2=Joe |title=Nicola Sturgeon: SNP leader in 60 seconds |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/21/nicola-sturgeon-snp-leader-in-60-seconds/ |access-date=17 July 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=21 March 2016}}</ref> She is the eldest of three daughters born to Joan Kerr Sturgeon (''née'' Ferguson, born 1952), a [[Registered Dental Nurse|dental nurse]], and Robin Sturgeon (born 1948), an electrician.<ref>For her parents' names: [http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U36626 "Sturgeon, Nicola"], ''Who's Who 2014'', A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014 ; online edn, Nov 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2015 (subscription required).</ref> Her family has some roots in [[North East England]]; her paternal grandmother was from [[Ryhope]] in what is now the [[City of Sunderland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32991705|title = Sunderland roots of SNP's Nicola Sturgeon|last = Rhodes|first = David|date = 3 June 2015|work = BBC News|access-date = 3 June 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150811072159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32991705|archive-date = 11 August 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>
Sturgeon grew up in [[Prestwick]] and [[Dreghorn]]. She attended Dreghorn Primary School from 1975 to 1982 and [[Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn|Greenwood Academy]] from 1982 to 1988. She later studied [[law]] at the [[University of Glasgow]], graduating with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (Hons) in 1992 and a [[Diploma in Legal Practice]] the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alba.org.uk/scot07constit/g04.html |title=Candidates and Constituency Assessments |publisher=Alba.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606052650/http://www.alba.org.uk/scot07constit/g04.html |archive-date=6 June 2011 }}</ref> 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]].
Following her graduation, Sturgeon completed her legal traineeship at [[McClure Naismith]], a Glasgow firm of solicitors, in 1995. After qualifying as a [[solicitor]], she worked for Bell & Craig, a firm of solicitors in [[Stirling]], and later at the [[Drumchapel]] [[Law Centre]] in [[Glasgow]] from 1997 until her election to the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=26 May 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en-GB|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915002848/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=15 September 2017}}</ref>
==Early political years==
In an interview with the BBC's ''[[Woman's Hour]]'', Sturgeon revealed that it was [[Margaret Thatcher]] who inspired her to enter politics, because, due to rising unemployment in Scotland at the time, she developed "a strong feeling that it was wrong for Scotland to be governed by a Tory government that we hadn't elected".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=26 May 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=14 September 2017|language=en-GB|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915002848/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=15 September 2017}}</ref>
Sturgeon joined the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) in 1986, having already become a member of the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]], and quickly became the party's Youth Affairs Vice Convener and Publicity Vice Convener.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/apr/sturgeon-now-or-never-banish-trident|title=Sturgeon: "Now or never" to banish Trident|date=5 April 2014|access-date=6 July 2014|publisher=Scottish National Party|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708202748/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/apr/sturgeon-now-or-never-banish-trident|archive-date=8 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm |title=About: Nicola Sturgeon MSP |publisher=Scottish National Party |access-date=2 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715123308/http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm |archive-date=15 July 2016 }}</ref> She first stood for election in the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]] as the SNP candidate in the [[Glasgow Shettleston (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Shettleston]] constituency, and was the youngest parliamentary candidate in Scotland, failing to win the seat.
Sturgeon also stood unsuccessfully as the SNP candidate for the Irvine North [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|ward]] on [[Cunninghame]] District Council in May 1992, for the [[Baillieston]]/[[Mount Vernon, Glasgow|Mount Vernon]] ward on [[Strathclyde|Strathclyde Regional Council]] in 1994, and for the [[Bridgeton, Glasgow|Bridgeton]] ward on [[Glasgow City Council]] in 1995.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
In the mid-1990s Sturgeon and [[Charles Kennedy]] went together on a political study visit to Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32975311|title=Sturgeon on Charles Kennedy 'a most talented politician'|work=BBC News|date=2 June 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602110544/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32975311|archive-date=2 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dathan|first1=Matt|title=Nicola Sturgeon reveals how she and Charles Kennedy watched Trainspotting together as she pays tribute to former Lib Dem leader|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-reveals-how-she-and-charles-kennedy-watched-trainspotting-together-as-she-pays-tribute-to-former-lib-dem-leader-10292645.html|website=independent.co.uk|date=2 June 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603075431/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-reveals-how-she-and-charles-kennedy-watched-trainspotting-together-as-she-pays-tribute-to-former-lib-dem-leader-10292645.html|archive-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>
The [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]] saw Sturgeon selected to fight the [[Glasgow Govan (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] seat for the SNP. Boundary changes meant that the notional [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] majority in the seat had increased substantially. However, infighting between the two rival candidates for the Labour nomination, [[Mohammad Sarwar (politician)|Mohammed Sarwar]] and [[Mike Watson, Baron Watson of Invergowrie|Mike Watson]], along with an energetic local campaign,{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} resulted in Glasgow Govan being the only Scottish seat to see a swing away from Labour in the midst of a Labour [[Landslide victory|landslide]] nationwide. Sarwar did, however, win the seat with a majority of 2,914 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/news/05/0505/stats.shtml|title=BBC Politics 97|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324034533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/news/05/0505/stats.shtml|archive-date=24 March 2015}}</ref> Shortly after this, Sturgeon was appointed as the SNP's spokesperson for energy and education matters.
===Election to Scottish Parliament, 1999===
Sturgeon stood for election to the [[Scottish Parliament]] in the [[1999 Scottish Parliament election|first Scottish Parliament election]] in 1999 as the SNP candidate for [[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon|title=Nicola Sturgeon {{!}} Biography & Facts|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008035648/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon|archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Although she failed to win the seat, she was placed first in the SNP's regional list for the [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliamentary Electoral Area)|Glasgow region]], and was thus elected as a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]. During the first term of the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon served as a member of the [[Shadow Cabinet]]s of both [[Alex Salmond]] and [[John Swinney]]. She was [[Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning|Shadow Minister for Children and Education]] from 1999 to 2000, [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing|Shadow Minister for Health and Community Care]] from 2000 to 2003, and [[Cabinet Secretary for Justice|Shadow Minister for Justice]] from 2003 to 2004. She also served as a member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and the Health and Community Care Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/32242.aspx|title=Nicola Sturgeon|website=The Scottish Parliament|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
===Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister===
[[File:Scottish Independence Referendum Bill (8577251468).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon, as Deputy First Minister, signs the ''[[Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013]]'']]
On 22 June 2004, John Swinney resigned as Leader of the SNP following poor results in the [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|European Parliament election]]. His then-depute,<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> [[Roseanna Cunningham]], immediately announced her intention to stand for the leadership. The previous leader, Alex Salmond, announced at the time that he would not stand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3828657.stm |title=Under-fire SNP leader resigns |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627024827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3828657.stm |archive-date=27 June 2004 }}</ref> On 24 June 2004, Sturgeon announced that she would also be a candidate in the forthcoming election for the leadership, with [[Kenny MacAskill]] as her running mate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3835951.stm |title=Sturgeon contests SNP leadership |work=BBC News |date=24 June 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702040939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3835951.stm |archive-date=2 July 2004 }}</ref>
However, Salmond later announced that he did intend to stand for the leadership; Sturgeon subsequently withdrew from the contest and declared her support for Salmond, standing instead as his running mate for the depute<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> leadership. It was reported that Salmond had privately supported Sturgeon in her leadership bid, but decided to run for the position himself as it became apparent she was unlikely to beat Cunningham.<ref>{{cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ian |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=809422004 |title=Edinburgh News, "Salmond in shock bid for leader" |publisher=Edinburghnews.scotsman.com |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921102702/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=809422004 |archive-date=21 September 2005 }}</ref> The majority of the SNP hierarchy lent their support to the Salmond–Sturgeon bid for the leadership, although MSP [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]] backed Salmond as leader, but refused to endorse Sturgeon as depute.<ref>{{cite web |last=Denholm |first=Andrew |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=922912004 |title=Scotsman.com, "Salmond's arch-rival buries hatchet with declaration of support" |publisher=Thescotsman.scotsman.com |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101133105/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=922912004 |archive-date=1 November 2005 }}</ref>
The results of the leadership contest were announced on 3 September 2004, with Salmond and Sturgeon elected as Leader and Depute<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> Leader respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nicola-sturgeon-not-seat-westminster-5665836|title=Why does Nicola Sturgeon not have a seat in Westminster?|last=Leonard|first=Ian|date=9 May 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=21 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817084400/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nicola-sturgeon-not-seat-westminster-5665836|archive-date=17 August 2017}}</ref> As Salmond was still an MP in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], Sturgeon led the SNP at the Scottish Parliament until the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007 election]], when Salmond was elected as an MSP.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3622728.stm |title=Salmond named as new SNP leader |work=BBC News |date=3 September 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref>
As leader of the SNP in the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon became a high-profile figure in Scottish politics and often clashed with [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Jack McConnell]] at [[First Minister's Questions (Scottish Parliament)|First Minister's Questions]]. This included rows over the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons']] decision to replace the Trident nuclear weapon system, and the SNP's plans to replace [[council tax]] in Scotland with a [[local income tax]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6454509.stm |title=Parties clash on Trident and tax |work=BBC News |date=15 March 2007 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319190615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6454509.stm |archive-date=19 March 2007 }}</ref> Sturgeon defeated [[Gordon Jackson (politician)|Gordon Jackson]] with a 4.7% swing to the SNP in the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007 election]] in Glasgow Govan. The election resulted in a hung parliament, with the SNP the largest party by a single seat; the SNP subsequently formed a minority government. Sturgeon was appointed as the [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] and [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]] by [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] Salmond. In the position she saw through party pledges such as scrapping prescription charges and reversing [[Emergency department|accident and emergency]] closures, she also became more widely known internationally for her handling of the [[2009 flu pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|work=BBC News|date=19 November 2014|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212154331/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=12 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sturgeon-snp-scotland-independence-campaign|title=Rise of Nicola Sturgeon: from 'nippy sweetie' to SNP leader?|publisher=Channel 4 News|date=24 September 2014|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221003604/http://www.channel4.com/news/sturgeon-snp-scotland-independence-campaign|archive-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> She was supported in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing by [[Shona Robison]] MSP, the [[Minister for Public Health and Sport]], and by Alex Neil MSP, the [[Minister for Housing and Communities]].
[[File:Nicola Sturgeon, DFM in Fort William.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon as Deputy First Minister speaking in [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]], 2011]]
At the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011 election]], the SNP won a large overall majority. Sturgeon was retained as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing until a reshuffle one year later, when she was appointed as [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]] and an additional role overseeing the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on]] [[Scottish independence]], essentially putting her in charge of the SNP's referendum campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19487544|title=Scottish cabinet reshuffle: Nicola Sturgeon given new independence role|date=5 September 2012|access-date=6 July 2014|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031082123/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19487544|archive-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> In December 2012, Sturgeon said that she believed that independence would allow Scotland to build a stronger and more competitive country, and would change spending priorities to address "the scandal of soaring poverty in a country as rich as Scotland".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/25/scotland-independence-economy-grow-sturgeon |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Severin |last=Carrell |title=Scottish independence would allow economy to grow, says Sturgeon |date=25 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221151359/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/25/scotland-independence-economy-grow-sturgeon |archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref>
On 19 September 2014, independence was rejected in the Scottish independence referendum, with 55.3% of the voters voting no and 44.7% voting yes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full|title=Scottish independence referendum: final results in full|website=the Guardian|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118021834/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full|archive-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> Following the defeat of the [[Yes Scotland]] campaign, Salmond announced his resignation as First Minister and Leader of the SNP. Sturgeon immediately announced that she would be a candidate in the election to replace him, and received huge support from the SNP hierarchy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-as-alex-salmond-steps-down-nicola-sturgeon-waits-for-her-chance-to-lead-9744791.html|title=Scottish referendum results: As Alex Salmond steps down, Nicola Sturgeon waits for her chance to lead|work=The Independent|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207170153/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-as-alex-salmond-steps-down-nicola-sturgeon-waits-for-her-chance-to-lead-9744791.html|archive-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/alex-salmond-resigns-will-snp-deputy-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-replace-him-1466335|title=Alex Salmond Resigns: Will SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Replace Him?|website=International Business Times UK|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202073510/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/alex-salmond-resigns-will-snp-deputy-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-replace-him-1466335|archive-date=2 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html|title=Scottish independence: referendum results – live – ''The Daily Telegraph''|date=19 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020202621/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html|archive-date=20 October 2014}}</ref> Sturgeon said that there would be "no greater privilege" than to lead the SNP. On Salmond's resignation, Sturgeon said:
<blockquote>The personal debt of gratitude I owe Alex is immeasurable. He has been my friend, mentor and colleague for more than 20 years. Quite simply, I would not have been able to do what I have in politics without his constant advice, guidance and support through all these years. [...] I can think of no greater privilege than to seek to lead the party I joined when I was just 16. However, that decision is not for today.</blockquote>
Following the referendum defeat, Sturgeon said that "further devolution is the route to independence".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/nicola-sturgeon-devo-is-route-to-independence-1-3563052|title=Nicola Sturgeon: 'Devo is route to independence'|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112072433/http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/nicola-sturgeon-devo-is-route-to-independence-1-3563052|archive-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> She also opined that Scottish independence was a matter of "when, not if".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-when-not-if-says-nicola-sturgeon-1468625|title='Scottish Independence is a When Not an If' says Nicola Sturgeon|website=International Business Times UK|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129234132/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-when-not-if-says-nicola-sturgeon-1468625|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref>
===Leadership of the Scottish National Party===
[[File:First Minister outside Bute House (15865040071).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon outside [[Bute House]] in Edinburgh upon her appointment as [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]], 2014]]
On 24 September 2014, Sturgeon officially launched her campaign bid to succeed Salmond as Leader of the Scottish National Party at the [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|November leadership election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp|title=Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond|author=Severin Carrell|website=the Guardian|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016055030/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp|archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html|title=Nicola Sturgeon predicts independence 'one day' as she launches bid to replace Alex Salmond|date=24 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014063327/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html|archive-date=14 October 2014}}</ref> It quickly became apparent that no other candidate would be able to receive enough required nominations to run a credible leadership campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29292324|title=BBC News – Nicola Sturgeon backed by former SNP leader Gordon Wilson to replace Salmond|website=BBC News|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021063058/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29292324|archive-date=21 October 2014}}</ref> During the speech launching her campaign, Sturgeon announced that she would resign as Depute Leader, triggering a concurrent [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|depute leadership election]]; the MSPs [[Angela Constance]] and [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]] and the MP [[Stewart Hosie]] all nominated themselves to succeed Sturgeon as Depute Leader.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html|title=Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie stand for SNP deputy leadership|date=25 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113145639/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html|archive-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/angela-constance-i-know-why-yes-campaign-failed-1-3559358|title=Angela Constance: 'I know why Yes campaign failed'|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110230439/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/angela-constance-i-know-why-yes-campaign-failed-1-3559358|archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref>
Nominations for the SNP leadership closed on 15 October, with Sturgeon confirmed as the only candidate. 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.<ref name="SNP leadership elections close">{{cite web|title=SNP leadership elections close |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/close-nominations-snp-leadership-elections |website=SNP |publisher=SNP |access-date=15 October 2014 |ref=SNP Leadership elections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017154520/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/close-nominations-snp-leadership-elections |archive-date=17 October 2014 }}</ref> On this date, Sturgeon also came out on top in a trust rating opinion poll, conducted for the SNP, which indicated that 54% of the Scottish population trusted her to "stand up for Scotland's interests".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-tops-politician-trust-rating-poll-1-3562244|title=Nicola Sturgeon tops politician trust rating poll|work=The Scotsman|date=3 October 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113124921/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-tops-politician-trust-rating-poll-1-3562244|archive-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>
Sturgeon was formally acclaimed as the first female Leader of the SNP on 14 November 2014 at the Autumn Conference in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], with Hosie as her depute. This also made her First Minister-Designate, given the SNP's absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/new-snp-leadership-team-sturgeon-and-hosie|title=New SNP leadership team: Sturgeon and Hosie|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117035008/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/new-snp-leadership-team-sturgeon-and-hosie|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref> In her first speech as leader, Sturgeon said that it was "the privilege of her life" to lead the party she joined as a teenager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423|title=SNP conference: Nicola Sturgeon appointed party leader|work=BBC News|date=14 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117060615/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref>
==First Minister of Scotland==
{{Infobox administration
| image = EU citizens vital to Scotland (49414089211).jpg
| image_size =
| name = Premiership of Nicola Sturgeon
| term_start = 20 November 2014
| term_end = present
| premier = Nicola Sturgeon
| premier_link = First Minister of Scotland
| cabinet = [[First Sturgeon government|1st Sturgeon government]]<br>[[Second Sturgeon government|2nd Sturgeon government]]
| party = [[Scottish National Party]]
| election = [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016]]
| appointer = Elizabeth II
| seat = [[Bute House]]
| predecessor = [[Alex Salmond#First Minister of Scotland|Alex Salmond]]
| successor =
| seal =
| seal_size =
| seal_caption =
| official_url =
}}
===First term: 2014–2016===
On 18 November 2014, Salmond formally resigned as [[First Minister of Scotland]] and the election for the new First Minister took place the following day. Sturgeon and [[Ruth Davidson]], the leader of the [[Scottish Conservative Party|Scottish Conservatives]], stood for election. Sturgeon received 66 votes, Davidson received 15 and there were 39 abstentions. As mentioned above, the SNP's absolute majority made Sturgeon's election all but certain.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Nicola Sturgeon is elected first minister of Scotland|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30118626|work = BBC News|date = 19 November 2014|access-date = 28 January 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150220125708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30118626|archive-date = 20 February 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> On 20 November 2014, Sturgeon was formally sworn into office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-sworn-in-as-first-minister-1-3610975 |title=Nicola Sturgeon sworn in as First Minister |publisher=Johnston Press |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123073826/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-sworn-in-as-first-minister-1-3610975 |archive-date=23 November 2014 }}</ref> The same day, she was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] and therefore granted the style '[[The Right Honourable]]'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Privy Council appointments: November 2014|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-november-2014|website=Press release|publisher=Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street|access-date=16 April 2015|date=20 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110103205/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-november-2014|archive-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> On 21 November, she unveiled her [[Scottish Cabinet|Cabinet]] with a 50/50 gender balance, promoting [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth|Finance Secretary]] John Swinney to become her [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-cabinet-equal-gender-balance |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces Scottish cabinet with equal gender balance |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=2 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514192555/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-cabinet-equal-gender-balance |archive-date=14 May 2015 }}</ref>
During her first First Minister's Questions after being sworn in, Sturgeon tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying that she came into her new post "with an open mind and a willingness to hear proposals from all sides of the chamber."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLkmguGQ8a4 Nicola Sturgeon officially sworn in as Scotland's First Minister]. [[STV News]], 20 November 2014.</ref>
====2015 UK general election====
Sturgeon took part in several Scottish and UK-wide [[2015 United Kingdom general election debates|TV election debates]] in the run up to the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] and according to opinion polls was regarded to have had a successful performance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/polls-confirm-nicola-sturgeon-tv-debate-success-1-3747812 |title=Polls "confirm Nicola Sturgeon TV debate success" |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=21 April 2015 |access-date=13 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100132/http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/polls-confirm-nicola-sturgeon-tv-debate-success-1-3747812 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> The SNP went on to win a [[landslide victory]] in Scotland, with 56 out of 59 seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871|title=BElection 2015: SNP wins 56 of 59 seats in Scots landslide|work=BBC News|date=8 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521003643/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871|archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref>
On 4 April 2015, a leaked memo from the [[Scotland Office]] alleged that Sturgeon privately told the French ambassador [[Sylvie Bermann]] that she would "rather see [[David Cameron]] remain as PM". This was in contrast to her publicly stated opposition to a Conservative Government on the run up to the election.<ref>{{cite news|last1=John|first1=Simon|title=Nicola Sturgeon secretly backs David Cameron|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11514933/Nicola-Sturgeon-secretly-backs-David-Cameron.html|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=3 April 2015|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421104508/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11514933/Nicola-Sturgeon-secretly-backs-David-Cameron.html|archive-date=21 April 2015}}</ref> The memo was quickly denied by both Sturgeon and the French consulate.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lewis |last=Smith |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/sturgeon-denies-telling-french-ambassador-she-wants-the-tories-to-win-the-election-10155267.html |title='Categorically, 100%, untrue': Nicola Sturgeon denies telling French ambassador she wants the Tories to win the election |publisher=Independent Print Limited |newspaper=The Independent |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=17 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617184706/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/sturgeon-denies-telling-french-ambassador-she-wants-the-tories-to-win-the-election-10155267.html |archive-date=17 June 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32182452|title=French consul general denies Nicola Sturgeon Tory comments|website=BBC News|date=4 April 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407082959/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32182452|archive-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> It was later noted that the memo had contained a disclaimer that parts of the conversation may have been "lost in translation" and its release had been ordered by then [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Scottish Secretary]] [[Alistair Carmichael]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Settle|first1=Michael|title=Carmichael caught in his own tangled web of deceit|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/carmichael-caught-in-his-own-tangled-web-of-deceit.126958092|website=HeraldScotland.com|access-date=23 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526012230/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/carmichael-caught-in-his-own-tangled-web-of-deceit.126958092|archive-date=26 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32874009|title=Alistair Carmichael rejects calls to resign over leaked Nicola Sturgeon memo|website=BBC News|date=25 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527214320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32874009|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Sturgeon stated that Carmichael had "engaged in dirty tricks" and that he should consider his position as an [[Member of Parliament|MP]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32849065|title=Nicola Sturgeon condemns Alistair Carmichael leak 'dirty tricks'|website=BBC News|date=22 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525040118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32849065|archive-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>
==== 2016 Scottish Parliament election ====
Sturgeon contested her first election as SNP leader at the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016 election]]. The SNP fell two seats short of securing another overall majority, but remained the largest party in the chamber, with more than double the seats of the next-largest party, the Scottish Conservatives.<ref name="results">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-scotland-36243712 |title=New MSPs to arrive at Holyrood for first day |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509101055/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-scotland-36243712 |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="map">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-36215186 |title=Election 2016: Before-and-after and party strength maps |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=6 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509104930/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-36215186 |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref>
Sturgeon was formally nominated for a second term on 17 May, defeating Lib Dem leader [[Willie Rennie]] by a vote of 63 to 5, with 59 members abstaining.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892 | title=Nicola Sturgeon wins Scottish first minister vote | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC | date=17 May 2016 | access-date=17 May 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517211603/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892 | archive-date=17 May 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
===Second term: 2016–present===
====2016 EU membership referendum====
[[File:Deputy Secretary Blinken Meets With Scottish First Minister Sturgeon (18490445358).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[United States Deputy Secretary of State]] [[Tony Blinken]], 2015]]
The UK Government held the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]] to decide the future of the United Kingdom's European Union membership, in which all 32 council areas in Scotland voted by a majority for the United Kingdom to remain a member of the EU. Across Scotland, 62% of voters backed the UK remaining a member of the EU, with 38% voting for the UK to leave. Overall 52% of voters in the United Kingdom voted for [[Brexit]] (leaving the EU), with 48% voting to remain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results|title=EU Referendum Results|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624000307/http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>
In response to the result, on 24 June 2016, Sturgeon said that [[Scottish Government]] officials would begin planning for a second independence referendum.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brexit-referendum/scotland-could-seek-independence-again-after-u-k-brexit-vote-n598166|title=Scotland Seeks Independence Again After U.K. 'Brexit' Vote|first=Alastair|last=Jamieson|date=24 June 2016|work=NBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624095905/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brexit-referendum/scotland-could-seek-independence-again-after-u-k-brexit-vote-n598166|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/brexit-scotland-independence-referendum.html|title=Scotland Says New Vote on Independence Is 'Highly Likely'|first=Kimiko|last=De Freytas-Tamura|date=25 June 2016|work=The New York Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050257/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/brexit-scotland-independence-referendum.html|archive-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> Sturgeon claimed that it was "clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union" and that Scotland had "spoken decisively" with a "strong, unequivocal" vote to remain in the European Union.<ref name="ft2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/06a90f8c-39c0-11e6-a780-b48ed7b6126f.html#axzz4CRXecPen|title=Scots' backing for Remain raises threat of union's demise|first=Mure|last=Dickie|date=24 June 2016|newspaper=Financial Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627153845/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/06a90f8c-39c0-11e6-a780-b48ed7b6126f.html#axzz4CRXecPen|archive-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> Sturgeon said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland could be taken out of the EU "against its will".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1716977/second-scotland-referendum-highly-likely|title=Second Scotland Referendum 'Highly Likely'|publisher=Sky News|date=24 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624120648/http://news.sky.com/story/1716977/second-scotland-referendum-highly-likely|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>
On 24 June, Sturgeon said she would communicate to all EU member states that Scotland had voted to stay in the EU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe|title=Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish referendum 'highly likely' – as it happened|date=24 June 2016|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211043100/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe|archive-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> An emergency Scottish cabinet meeting on 25 June agreed that the Scottish Government would seek to enter negotiations with the EU and its member states, to explore options to protect Scotland's place in the EU."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/25/sturgeon-seeks-urgent-brussels-talks-to-protect-scotlands-eu-membership|title=Sturgeon to lobby EU members to support Scotland's bid to remain|first1=Severin|last1=Carrell|first2=Jennifer|last2=Rankin|date=25 June 2016|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103182025/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/25/sturgeon-seeks-urgent-brussels-talks-to-protect-scotlands-eu-membership|archive-date=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="stv250616">{{cite web |url=http://stv.tv/news/politics/1358598-sturgeon-to-seek-eu-talks-to-protect-scotland-s-memebrship/ |title=Sturgeon to seek EU talks to 'protect' Scotland's membership |first=Aidan |last=Kerr |website=STV News |publisher=STV |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=27 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628005333/http://stv.tv/news/politics/1358598-sturgeon-to-seek-eu-talks-to-protect-scotland-s-memebrship/ |archive-date=28 June 2016 }}</ref> Sturgeon later said that while she believed in Scottish independence, her starting point in these discussions was to protect Scotland's relationship with the EU.<ref>
{{cite news |author=Press Association<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Nicola Sturgeon says independence vote would be proposed 'if best or only way to protect EU place' |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/215192/nicola-sturgeon-says-independence-vote-proposed-best-way-protect-eu-place/ |newspaper=The Courier |location=Dundee, Scotland |date=28 June 2016 |access-date=28 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629154441/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/215192/nicola-sturgeon-says-independence-vote-proposed-best-way-protect-eu-place/ |archive-date=29 June 2016 }}</ref> May's comments confirmed that the PM wanted the Scottish government to be "fully engaged" in the process.
[[File:The new Scottish Cabinet meet at Bute House (26609698973).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon chairs a meeting of her newly appointed [[Second Sturgeon government|2016 cabinet]]]]
====Future referendum on independence====
Sturgeon confirmed in June 2016 that the Scottish government had formally agreed to draft legislation to allow a second independence referendum to take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36631738|title=EU referendum: The 'stark difference' between Wales and Scotland|work=BBC News|date=25 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628182427/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36631738|archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> As the constitution is a reserved matter under the [[Scotland Act 1998]], for a future referendum on Scottish independence to be legal under UK law, it would need to receive the consent of the British Parliament to take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/contents|title=Scotland Act 1998|website=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=25 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629003653/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/contents|archive-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
Prior to the day the Prime Minister triggered [[Article 50]], formally allowing the process of the United Kingdom leaving the [[European Union]], the [[Scottish Parliament]] voted 69 to 59 in favour of another independence referendum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/28/scottish-parliament-votes-for-second-independence-referendum-nicola-sturgeon|title=Scottish parliament votes for second independence referendum|last=editor|first=Severin Carrell Scotland|date=28 March 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 April 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406103856/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/28/scottish-parliament-votes-for-second-independence-referendum-nicola-sturgeon|archive-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> By the end of that week, on 30 March 2017, Sturgeon wrote to the Prime Minister requesting a Section 30 order, formally devolving the responsibility and power to the [[Scottish Government]] to plan for and hold another referendum on Scottish Independence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-independence-referendum-theresa-may-request-a7659201.html|title=Nicola Sturgeon writes letter to Theresa May requesting second Scottish independence referendum|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=31 March 2017|work=The Independent|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819061701/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-independence-referendum-theresa-may-request-a7659201.html|archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/theresa-may-now-is-not-the-time-for-indyref2-1-4393668|title=Theresa May: 'Now is not the time' for indyref2|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=6 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401061410/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/theresa-may-now-is-not-the-time-for-indyref2-1-4393668|archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
Following the 2017 UK general election, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the Scottish Government would postpone legislation pertaining to the proposed second referendum on Scottish independence until at least autumn 2018, when it is believed that the outcome of Brexit negotiations should become clearer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/voters-want-break-says-nicola-sturgeon-postpones-indyref2/|title=Voters want a break, says Nicola Sturgeon as she postpones IndyRef2|last=Green|first=Chris|date=27 June 2017|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
====European Union membership====
[[File:FM meets with Juncker.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Sturgeon meets [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], [[President of the European Commission]] in [[Brussels]], 2017]]
In response to the UK-wide vote for the United Kingdom to leave the [[European Union]], the [[Scottish Government]], headed by Sturgeon, launched the ''Scotland's Place in Europe'' document, a white paper setting out the Scottish Government's aims and wishes of Scotland's role in Europe post-Brexit. The paper was sent to the central [[British Government]] to be read by Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].
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". In the same interview, Sturgeon committed to no independence referendum being held prior to the terms of a UK wide Brexit deal being agreed and presented.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/nicola-sturgeon-says-difficult-theresa-may-will-struggle-with-brexit-talks |title=Nicola Sturgeon says 'difficult' Theresa May will struggle with Brexit talks |access-date=8 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714061853/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/nicola-sturgeon-says-difficult-theresa-may-will-struggle-with-brexit-talks |archive-date=14 July 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2017 |last1=Asthana |first1=Anushka |last2=Carrell |first2=Severin }}</ref>
With a view towards Brexit, Sturgeon demanded greater powers for the Scottish Parliament, arguing that Brexit is threatening Scotland's [[Scottish devolution settlement|devolution settlement]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-calls-for-united-front-to-protect-devolution-1-4556755|title=Nicola Sturgeon calls for united front to protect devolution|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=14 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912131031/http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-calls-for-united-front-to-protect-devolution-1-4556755|archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
====2017 Scottish local elections====
{{Main|2017 Scottish local elections}}
Sturgeon and the SNP went into the Scottish council elections that were held on 4 May 2017, as the largest political party in the 32 local council areas in Scotland, having 424 councillors elected to serve on the councils across Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/vote2012/council/scotland.stm|title=BBC News – Vote 2012 – Scottish Council Results|website=BBC News|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506180240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/vote2012/council/scotland.stm|archive-date=6 May 2017}}</ref> Publicly speaking about the 2017 Scottish council elections, Sturgeon has said that the elections were a clear choice between voting for herself and [[Ruth Davidson]], the leader of the [[Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party]], citing the stark fall in support of the [[Scottish Labour Party]] and their leader [[Kezia Dugdale]] over the past several years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/15237638.Sturgeon__Council_elections_a_choice_between_SNP_and_Tories/|title=Sturgeon: Council elections a choice between SNP and Tories|website=HeraldScotland|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430030051/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/15237638.Sturgeon__Council_elections_a_choice_between_SNP_and_Tories/|archive-date=30 April 2017}}</ref>
While failing to win any outright overall control in any council area in Scotland, the SNP emerged as the largest political group in sixteen councils, including [[Glasgow City Council|Glasgow]], [[City of Edinburgh Council|Edinburgh]] and [[Aberdeen City Council|Aberdeen]] for the first time. However, on a notional basis, the SNP suffered a net loss of 7 councillors compared to 2012. The party also lost its majorities in [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] and [[Dundee]] to no overall control.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c50znx8v8m4t/scotland-local-elections-2017|title=Scotland local elections 2017|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> Following the results, Sturgeon claimed that the election was a "clear and emphatic victory for the SNP', despite the large number of seats gained by the [[Scottish Conservatives]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39806664|title=Council election results: Sturgeon hails victory despite Tory surge|date=5 May 2017|access-date=28 June 2017|via=www.bbc.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603133158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39806664|archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref>
====2017 UK general election====
{{Main|2017 United Kingdom general election}}
[[File:First Minister meets Simon Coveney - Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (49059862136).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[Simon Coveney]], [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ireland)]]]]
The SNP lost 21 seats in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election in Scotland]] amid a swing to the Scottish Conservatives of 13.7%, although remained the biggest party in Scotland. Sturgeon admitted that these results were "bitterly disappointing" and acknowledged that her party's plans for a second referendum were 'undoubtedly' a factor in the election results.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 June 2017|title=Sturgeon: Indyref2 'factor' in SNP losses|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748|access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref>
====Alex Salmond sexual harassment case====
{{Main|Alex Salmond scandal}}
In January 2019, Sturgeon referred herself to an independent ministerial ethics body, which will lead to an investigation into her actions with respect to a [[Alex Salmond#Trial and acquittal on sexual misconduct allegations|sexual harassment case concerning allegations against Salmond]]. This followed her admitting that she had a secret meeting and subsequent phone call with Salmond about the Scottish government's allegations against him. She raised these with the Permanent Secretary to the [[Scottish Government]], [[Leslie Evans]], two months later, rather than reporting them immediately, as she should if they constitute government matters (as per the ministerial code). Sturgeon argued that the meetings were SNP party matters, and thus not covered. The investigating panel will consist of Dame [[Elish Angiolini]], a former [[Solicitor General for Scotland]] and [[lord advocate]], and [[James Hamilton (barrister)|James Hamilton]], a former [[Director of Public Prosecutions (Ireland)|director of public prosecutions]] in the Republic of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/13/nicola-sturgeon-refers-herself-ethics-body-salmond-case|title=Sturgeon refers herself to ethics body over actions in Salmond case|first=Severin Carrell Scotland|last=editor|date=13 January 2019|via=www.theguardian.com|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
On 15 January 2019, the [[Scottish Parliament]] agreed to hold its own inquiry into the matter, the [[Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/111052.aspx|title=Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints|date=23 December 2020|website=www.parliament.scot|accessdate=2 March 2021}}</ref> to investigate how the Government breached its own guidelines in its original investigation into the harassment claims against Salmond, and then lost a judicial review into their actions and had to pay over £500,000 to Salmond for legal expenses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-46876847|title=MSPs to hold inquiry over Salmond row|date=15 January 2019|access-date=15 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56209521|title=Alex Salmond says there is 'no doubt' Nicola Sturgeon broke ministerial code|date=26 February 2021|accessdate=2 March 2021|work=BBC News}}</ref> Sturgeon's husband, [[Peter Murrell]], was called to this inquiry to give evidence on 8 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Salmond inquiry likely to recall SNP chief exec and Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/alex-salmond-inquiry-likely-recall-snp-chief-exec-and-nicola-sturgeons-husband-peter-murrell-3062334|access-date=2020-12-10|work=The Scotsman|language=en}}</ref> Opposition parties criticised Sturgeon on disparity and contradictions between the narratives of Murrell and herself.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-09|title=MSPs bid to recall SNP chief Peter Murrell to Salmond inquiry|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55247449|access-date=2020-12-10}}</ref>
Sturgeon initially told parliament that she had first heard of the complaints against Salmond when he told her of them at a meeting on 2 April 2018.<ref name="auto"/> However, 18 months later, she revised her account, saying she had forgotten about an earlier meeting, on 29 March 2018, in which Salmond's former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein told her about the complaints.<ref name="auto"/> Critics have described this as a possible breach of the ministerial code, which states that any minister who deliberately misleads parliament should resign.<ref name="auto"/> The 29 March meeting was not recorded: meetings on government business are meant to be recorded, but Sturgeon has said this is because it was an SNP meeting.<ref name="auto"/> In his evidence to the committee, Salmond said there was "no doubt" that Sturgeon had broken the ministerial code in not revealing the 29 March meeting sooner and in not recording what was really a meeting about government business.<ref name="auto"/> Sturgeon denies any wrongdoing.<ref name="auto"/> Documents and emails published on 2 March 2021 showed that two people supported Salmond's assertion that the meeting was convened as a government, not party, matter.<ref name="Salmond2Mar21" /> The publication also backed up Salmond's allegation that the identity of one of his accusers had been passed to his former chief of staff, contradicting Sturgeon's statement that "to the very best of my knowledge I do not think that happened".<ref name="Salmond2Mar21">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56259056|title=Calls for Nicola Sturgeon to quit over Alex Salmond revelations|date=2 March 2021|accessdate=2 March 2021|work=BBC News}}</ref> On 19 March 2021, it was reported that a majority of MSPs on the Alex Salmond committee voted to affirm that Nicola Sturgeon misled the inquiry.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-19|title=MSPs on Alex Salmond committee say Nicola Sturgeon misled them|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56451170|access-date=2021-03-21}}</ref> Subsequently, a representative for Sturgeon claimed that the committee were simply, "smearing" the First Minister and being party-political.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-25|title=Independent MSP Andy Wightman defends Holyrood inquiry report|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56513356|access-date=2021-04-10}}</ref>
====2019 UK general election====
{{Main|2019 United Kingdom general election}}
[[File:Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK (32799238507).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[High Commission of Pakistan, London|High Commissioner of Pakistan]] Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, 2019]]
Sturgeon led her party to a [[landslide victory]] in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election in Scotland]]. The SNP won 48 seats, and came second place in the 11 others; their 45% of the vote yielded 80% of the seats in Scotland.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50789131|title=Election 2019: the result in Scotland in numbers|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> Among the election casualties was [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] leader [[Jo Swinson]], who lost her seat in [[East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Dunbartonshire.]] Sturgeon was branded as "ungracious" when she was filmed by [[Sky News]] celebrating Swinson's defeat. Sturgeon apologised for being overexcited although expressed that she was celebrating [[Amy Callaghan]]'s win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2019/dec/13/nicola-sturgeon-celebrates-as-snp-candidate-takes-jo-swinsons-seat-video|title=Nicola Sturgeon filmed celebrating Jo Swinson's defeat to SNP's Amy Callaghan – video|last1=Sky|first1=Source|date=13 December 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 December 2019|last2=Reuters|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/nicola-sturgeon-i-got-overexcited-in-reaction-to-jo-swinson-loss-11885572|title=Nicola Sturgeon: 'I got overexcited' in reaction to Jo Swinson loss|website=Sky News|language=en|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-branded-ungracious-after-celebrating-jo-swinson-losing-her-seat-1-5062027|title=Nicola Sturgeon branded 'ungracious' after celebrating Jo Swinson losing her seat|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/nicola-sturgeon-tips-east-dunbartonshires-amy-callaghan-to-be-one-of-the-stars-of-the-commons/|title=Nicola Sturgeon tips East Dunbartonshire's Amy Callaghan to be one of the stars of the Commons|last=Swindon|first=Peter|website=The Sunday Post|language=en-US|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> In the wake of the results, Sturgeon said that [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Boris Johnson]] has "no right" to stand in the way of another Scottish independence referendum after an "overwhelming" SNP election victory. She also said that the result "renews, reinforces and strengthens" the mandate for [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|Indyref2]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50779724|title=Sturgeon: PM has 'no right' to block Indyref2|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>
====COVID–19 pandemic====
{{see|COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland}}
[[File:First Minister's COVID-19 Statement - 16 April 2020 (49781060278).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon addressing the nation at a Scottish Government daily COVID-19 briefing]]
The [[COVID-19 pandemic|worldwide pandemic]] of [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] occurred during Sturgeon's second term as First Minister. To contain and limit the number of affected people in Scotland, Sturgeon and the [[Scottish Government]] highlighted a number of measures advised by [[NHS Scotland]], initially maintaining effective hand washing.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51904721 |title=Coronavirus: Some Scottish schools close for deep clean – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=16 March 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> The first confirmed case of the virus in Scotland was announced on 1 March 2020, when a resident in [[Tayside]] had tested positive. In the following days, Sturgeon issued further advice and guidance as the number of positive cases began to increase, but had said that closures of public places such as schools and shops "would be reviewed".<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
Sturgeon announced to the [[Scottish Parliament]] on 18 March that all schools and nurseries in Scotland would close on 20 March to try and limit the spread of the virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51928400 |title=Coronavirus: Schools in Scotland and Wales to close from Friday – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> On 23 March, Sturgeon issued a statement, placing Scotland on a "lockdown", limiting the reasons as to why people may leave their homes in an increase attempt to limit the spread of the virus, to protect the health of the population, as well as to ease the pressure the virus places on [[NHS Scotland]] services and workforce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52007540 |title=Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon says new rules amount to 'lockdown' – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> Since then restrictions have been frequently tightened, loosened and adapted in parts or all of Scotland to respond to developments in the situation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPICe|date=2021-01-22|title=Timeline of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland|url=https://spice-spotlight.scot/2021/01/22/timeline-of-coronavirus-covid-19-in-scotland/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=SPICe Spotlight {{!}} Solas air SPICe|language=en-GB}}</ref>
During the early stages of the pandemic 1,300 elderly patients were transferred into care homes without receiving a negative coronavirus test result.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56680666</ref> Many had been infected by the disease and ended up passing the virus onto other care home residents.<ref>https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-health-minister-admits-coronavirus-23879626?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar</ref> Over three thousand care home residents died from coronavirus<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-covid-error-turned-care-homes-into-morgues-xt2652t8k</ref> and Gary Smith, Scotland secretary of the GMB, said the policy had turned “care homes into morgues”.<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-covid-error-turned-care-homes-into-morgues-xt2652t8k</ref> When asked by the BBC if the policy had been a mistake, Sturgeon said: "Looking back on that now, with the knowledge we have now and with the benefit of hindsight, yes."
In March 2021, the [[Court of Session]] declared that the Scottish Government's prohibition on communal worship, imposed during the pandemic, was unlawful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56511585 |title=Covid in Scotland: Places of worship can open now after court win |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> This followed an open letter two months earlier, written by 200 church leaders to Sturgeon, warning her that the prohibition could be unlawful.<ref>{{cite web |last=Petrie |first=Calum |date=13 January 2021 |title=Church leaders pile pressure on Sturgeon to lift public worship ban |publisher= |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/2808139/church-leaders-pile-pressure-on-sturgeon-to-lift-public-worship-ban/ |website=The Press and Journal |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
===International relations===
[[File:Meeting of Nicola Sturgeon and Carrie Lam 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon on a trip to [[Hong Kong]] for talks with [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] [[Carrie Lam]].]]
While [[Foreign policy of the United Kingdom|foreign policy]] remains a [[reserved matter]],<ref name="parliament.scot">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722092046/http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |archive-date=22 July 2017 }}</ref> Sturgeon has undertaken a number of visits to Europe, North America and Asia to promote Scotland as a place of investment and Scottish businesses to trade and do business with.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe |title=Europe - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623101827/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Americas/north-america |title=International relations - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918064834/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Americas/north-america |archive-date=18 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Asia |title=International relations - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623035251/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Asia |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref> Sturgeon has committed to strengthening links between Scotland and the [[Africa]]n continent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Africa |title=International development - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623082436/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Africa |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref>
In response to the Brexit vote, to discuss Scotland's interests, Sturgeon travelled to [[Brussels]] to meet with both [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], the [[President of the European Commission]] as well as [[Martin Schulz]], the [[President of the European Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |title=Protecting Scotland's role in the EU |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010004559/https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |date=30 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/schulz-empfaengt-schottin-sturgeon-zu-gespraech-ueber-brexit-folgen-14314820.htmlhtml |date=26 June 2006 |title=Schulz empfängt Schottin Sturgeon zu Gespräch über Brexit-Folgen |work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |language=de|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref>
====United States====
[[File:Nicola Sturgeon meets Icelandic Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[Katrín Jakobsdóttir]], [[Prime Minister of Iceland]], 2019]]
Sturgeon was highly critical of [[Donald Trump]] and his policies during the [[2016 United States presidential election]] and had publicly backed his [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] rival [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backs-hillary-president-9204999 |title=Nicola Sturgeon breaks convention to back Hillary Clinton in Presidential race |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001214420/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backs-hillary-president-9204999 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |date=6 November 2016 }}</ref> Sturgeon highlighted her disapproval of his language and views relating to sexism and misogyny, and stated upon Trump's victory that she hopes "Trump turns out to be a president different to the one he was during his campaign and reaches out to those who felt vilified by his campaign".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37940485 |title=Sturgeon 'will not be silent' over Trump |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123083406/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37940485 |archive-date=23 January 2017 |work=BBC News |date=10 November 2016 }}</ref>
Sturgeon had previously stripped Trump of his ambassadorial role for Scottish businesses with the Scottish Government in the aftermath of Trump's views of an outright ban of [[Muslims]] from entering the United States. Sturgeon claimed following comments made by Trump in relation to Muslims entering the United States that he was "not fit" for the ambassadorial role with the Scottish Government.<ref name="stv.tv">{{cite web |url=https://stv.tv/news/politics/1378606-nicola-sturgeon-congratulates-donald-trump-on-inauguration/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon congratulates Donald Trump on inauguration |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213437/https://stv.tv/news/politics/1378606-nicola-sturgeon-congratulates-donald-trump-on-inauguration/ |archive-date=1 October 2017 |date=20 January 2017 }}</ref>
====Spain====
In the run up to the [[2017 Catalan independence referendum]], Nicola Sturgeon offered her own personal backing and that of the [[Scottish Government]] to [[Catalonia]] in the holding of a referendum.<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41350999 |title=Sturgeon backs Catalan referendum calls |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005050053/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41350999 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2017 }}</ref> The [[Government of Spain]] criticised Sturgeon, claiming she had "totally misunderstood" the situation in Spain and Catalonia.<ref name="Archived copy"/> Sturgeon highlighted that Spain should follow "the shining example" that was created as part of the [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)|Edinburgh Agreement]] between the Scottish and British Governments that allowed Scotland to hold a legally binding referendum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/15554327.Iain_Macwhirter__Madrid_should_have_learned_the_lesson_of_the_Scottish_independence_referendum/ |title=Iain Macwhirter: Madrid should have learned the lesson of the Scottish independence referendum |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022033/http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/15554327.Iain_Macwhirter__Madrid_should_have_learned_the_lesson_of_the_Scottish_independence_referendum/ |archive-date=2 October 2017 }}</ref>
==Political views==
[[File:Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon attended [[Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn]] from 1982–1988]]
Sturgeon has campaigned against replacing the [[Trident nuclear programme|Trident nuclear weapons system]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-signs-rethink-trident-pledge-1-3865803 |title=Nicola Sturgeon signs 'Rethink Trident' pledge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207233427/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-signs-rethink-trident-pledge-1-3865803 |archive-date=7 December 2015 }}</ref> She has been a critic of [[austerity]], saying that the UK government's "austerity economics" is "morally unjustifiable and economically unsustainable".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31377373 |title=Nicola Sturgeon attacks 'Westminster austerity economics' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003143112/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31377373 |archive-date=3 October 2015 }}</ref> However, in 2018 she endorsed her party's Growth Commission report that pledged to reduced an independent Scotland's budget deficit as a percentage of GDP<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44237956</ref> - something the IFS concluded meant "continued austerity".<ref>https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,ifs-independent-scotland-would-face-continued-austerity-under-growth-commission-proposals_8823.htm</ref>
Sturgeon has also campaigned on [[women's rights]] and [[gender equality]], and is a self-described [[feminism|feminist]]; she has argued that Scotland's feminist movement is not simply symbolic, but "sends a powerful signal about equality".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/30/post-referendum-scotland-feminist-paradise |title=Is post-referendum Scotland a feminist paradise? |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221150909/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/30/post-referendum-scotland-feminist-paradise |archive-date=21 December 2016 }}</ref> She has hailed Scottish feminist economist [[Ailsa McKay]] as one of her inspirations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beaton|first=Connor|title= Economics professor passes after cancer battle|work=The Targe|date=6 March 2014}}</ref>
During the April 2019 SNP Conference held in [[Edinburgh]], Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency". She argued that Scotland's carbon dioxide emissions are irrevocably causing sea levels to rise, which could have a negative impact on Scotland's prospects of achieving [[Scottish independence|Independence]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48077802 |title=Nicola Sturgeon declares Climate Emergency' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428162602/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48077802 |archive-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>
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 three and a half times the rate in England and Wales.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-55184961</ref> Sturgeon sacked her Public Health Minister [[Joe FitzPatrick]] and in April 2021 admitted that she and her government "took our eye off the ball" on the issue.<ref>https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19231212.nicola-sturgeon-took-eye-off-ball-drug-deaths/</ref>
==Awards and acknowledgements==
Sturgeon won the [[Scottish Politician of the Year Award]] in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50517496|title=Nicola Sturgeon crowned 'Politician of the Year'|date=22 November 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> In 2004, 2008 and 2011 she also won the ''[[Donald Dewar]] Debater of the Year Award'' at the same event, which is organised by ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]'' newspaper.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lion and the saltire : a brief history of the Scottish National Party|last=McKay|first=Girvan|date=2016|publisher=LULU.com|isbn=978-1-326-40090-3|location=[Place of publication not identified]|publication-place=Raleigh, N.C.|page=90|oclc=980517958}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}
''[[Forbes]]'' magazine ranked Sturgeon as the 50th most powerful woman in the world in 2016 and 2nd in the United Kingdom.<ref name="2016 powerful women">{{cite web|title=The World's 100 Most Powerful Women|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/nicola-sturgeon/?list=power-women|website=Forbes|publisher=Forbes.com LLC|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812005503/http://www.forbes.com/profile/nicola-sturgeon/?list=power-women|archive-date=12 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36463186|title=Nicola Sturgeon ranked second most powerful woman in UK|work=BBC News|date=6 June 2016|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606170733/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36463186|archive-date=6 June 2016}}</ref> In 2015, [[BBC Radio 4|BBC Radio 4's]] ''[[Woman's Hour]]'' assessed Sturgeon to be the most powerful and influential woman in the United Kingdom.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33325915|title=Nicola Sturgeon tops Woman's Hour power list|access-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701105057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33325915|archive-date=1 July 2015|work=BBC News|date=July 2015}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Sturgeon lives in Glasgow with her husband, [[Peter Murrell]], who is the Chief Executive Officer of the SNP. The couple have been in a relationship since 2003. They announced their engagement on 29 January 2010,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://stv.tv/news/west-central/153973-nicola-sturgeon-announces-wedding-plans/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces wedding plans |publisher=STV |work=STV News |date=29 January 2010 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145742/https://stv.tv/news/west-central/153973-nicola-sturgeon-announces-wedding-plans/ |archive-date=19 August 2017 }}</ref> and were married on 16 July 2010 at [[Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church, Glasgow|Òran Mór]] in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-ties-the-knot-but-she-won-t-be-calling-herself-mrs-murrell-1-817668 |title=Nicola Sturgeon ties the knot — but she won't be calling herself Mrs Murrell |publisher=Johnston Press |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=16 July 2010 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919114046/http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-ties-the-knot-but-she-won-t-be-calling-herself-mrs-murrell-1-817668 |archive-date=19 September 2016 }}</ref> Her mother Joan was the SNP Provost of [[North Ayrshire]] council, where she was councillor for the Irvine East ward from 2007 until 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635 |title=The Nicola Sturgeon story |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=19 November 2014 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031075316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635 |archive-date=31 October 2016 }}</ref> In 2016, Sturgeon disclosed that she had miscarried five years previously.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37270135 |title=Nicola Sturgeon miscarriage: First minister reveals baby loss |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2016 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907152846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37270135 |archive-date=7 September 2016 }}</ref>
==See also==
*[[List of First Ministers of Scotland]]
*[[List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm SNP profile]
* [http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/Nicola-Sturgeon-MSP.aspx Scottish Parliament profile]
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{{Nicola Sturgeon}}
{{UK heads of governments}}
{{Current heads of government in the UK and dependencies}}
{{Leaders of British political parties}}
{{Scottish Cabinet}}
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{{ScottishDeputyFirstMinisters}}
{{Scottish Political Leaders}}
{{Glasgow MSPs}}
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{{SNP MSPs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sturgeon, Nicola}}
[[Category:Nicola Sturgeon| ]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:20th-century British women politicians]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow]]
[[Category:BBC 100 Women]]
[[Category:Deputy First Ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Female heads of government in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Female members of the Scottish Parliament]]
[[Category:Female premiers and first ministers]]
[[Category:First Ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Health ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Scottish National Party]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 1999–2003]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2003–2007]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2007–2011]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2011–2016]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow constituencies]]
[[Category:People from Irvine, North Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Scottish feminists]]
[[Category:Scottish National Party MSPs]]
[[Category:Scottish nationalists]]
[[Category:Scottish people of English descent]]
[[Category:Scottish solicitors]]
[[Category:Scottish women lawyers]]
[[Category:Women members of the Scottish Government]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{short description|First Minister of Scotland, Leader of the Scottish National Party}}
{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]; requested at [[WP:RfPP]]|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Scottish English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name = Nicola Sturgeon
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Scottish Parliament|MSP]]
| image = Nicola Sturgeon 2019 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Sturgeon in 2019
| order = <!--Order is used for U.S. politicians. Please do not add.-->
| office = [[First Minister of Scotland]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| deputy = [[John Swinney]]
| term_start = 20 November 2014
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Alex Salmond]]
| successor =
| office1 = [[Leader of the Scottish National Party]]
| deputy1 = [[Stewart Hosie]]<br />[[Angus Robertson]]<br />[[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]
| term_start1 = 14 November 2014
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Alex Salmond
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]]
| firstminister2 = Alex Salmond
| term_start2 = 17 May 2007
| term_end2 = 19 November 2014
| predecessor2 = [[Nicol Stephen, Baron Stephen|Nicol Stephen]]
| successor2 = John Swinney
| office3 = [[Scottish National Party#Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party|Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party]]
| leader3 = Alex Salmond
| term_start3 = 3 September 2004
| term_end3 = 14 November 2014
| predecessor3 = [[Roseanna Cunningham]]
| successor3 = [[Stewart Hosie]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|last=yes|Ministerial offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder
|embed = yes
| office4 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]]
| firstminister4 = Alex Salmond
| term_start4 = 5 September 2012
| term_end4 = 19 November 2014
| predecessor4 = [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]]
| successor4 = [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]
| office5 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]]
| firstminister5 = Alex Salmond
| term_start5 = 17 May 2007
| term_end5 = 5 September 2012
| predecessor5 = [[Andy Kerr (Scottish politician)|Andy Kerr]]
| successor5 = [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| office6 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Glasgow Southside (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Southside]]<br/> {{nobold|[[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] (2007–2011)}}
| term_start6 = 3 May 2007
| term_end6 =
| predecessor6 = [[Gordon Jackson (politician)|Gordon Jackson]]
| successor6 =
| majority6 = 9,593 (38.5%)
| office7 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Glasgow]]<br />{{nobold|(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)}}
| term_start7 = 6 May 1999
| term_end7 = 3 May 2007
| predecessor7 =
| successor7 =
| birth_name = Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|7|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], [[Ayrshire]], [[Scotland]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| signature = 20200228180454!Signature of Nicola Sturgeon - Edited.png
| party = [[Scottish National Party]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Peter Murrell]]|16 July 2010}}
| children =
| parents = {{plain list|
* Robin Sturgeon
* Joan Kerr Ferguson
}}
| residence = [[Bute House]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Glasgow]]
| cabinet = * [[First Sturgeon government]]
* [[Second Sturgeon government]]
| website = [https://firstminister.gov.scot/ First Minister of Scotland]
| footnotes = {{notelist}}
}}
{{Nicola Sturgeon Sidebar}}
'''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. She has been a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) since 1999, first as an [[additional member system|additional member]] for the [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Glasgow electoral region]], and as the member for [[Glasgow Southside (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Southside]] (formerly [[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]]) from 2007.
A law graduate of the [[University of Glasgow]], Sturgeon worked as a [[solicitor]] in [[Glasgow]]. After being elected to the Scottish Parliament, she served successively as the SNP's shadow minister for education, health, and justice. In 2004 she announced that she would stand as a candidate for the leadership of the SNP following the resignation of [[John Swinney]]. However, she later withdrew from the contest in favour of [[Alex Salmond]], standing instead as [[wikt:depute|depute]] (deputy)<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> leader on a joint ticket with Salmond.
Both were subsequently elected, and as Salmond was still an MP in the House of Commons, Sturgeon led the SNP in the Scottish Parliament from 2004 to 2007. The SNP won the highest number of seats in the Scottish Parliament in [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|the 2007 election]] and Salmond was subsequently appointed First Minister. He appointed Sturgeon as [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] and [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]]. She was appointed as [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]] in 2012. Following the defeat of the [[Yes Scotland]] campaign in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum]], Salmond resigned and Sturgeon was [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|elected unopposed as SNP leader in November 2014]] and appointed as First Minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resignation-nicola-sturgeon-destiny|title=Alex Salmond's resignation could give Nicola Sturgeon her day of destiny|author=Libby Brooks|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 September 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209154913/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resignation-nicola-sturgeon-destiny|archive-date=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011421|title=The transition from Alex Salmond to Nicola Sturgeon|first=Glenn|last=Campbell|work=BBC News|date=13 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117032228/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011421|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref>
Sturgeon led the SNP through the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] when it enjoyed a surge in support, recording a number of swings of over 30% from Labour, as it won 56 of the 59 Scottish seats and replaced the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] as the third-largest party in the [[British House of Commons]]. In the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016 election]], the SNP was returned as the largest single party in the [[Scottish Parliament]] but fell two seats short of a majority. Sturgeon secured a second term as First Minister, forming an SNP [[minority government]]. In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 UK referendum on EU membership]], Scotland voted by 62% to remain in the [[European Union]], despite [[Brexit]] receiving 52% of the vote across the UK.{{efn|In the [[Brexit referendum]], a majority of voters in every local authority area in Scotland voted to remain in 2016.}} After the vote to leave the EU, Sturgeon's government has [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|proposed a second referendum on independence]]. As First Minister, Sturgeon has been leading the [[Scottish Government]]'s response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland]] since 2020.
==Early life and education==
Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/29961.aspx|title=11 May Vol. 1, No. 1 Session 4|date=23 June 2011|website=www.scottish.parliament.uk|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130014/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/29961.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> was born in [[Ayrshire Central Hospital]] in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], on 19 July 1970.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lockhart |first1=Keely |last2=Daunt |first2=Joe |title=Nicola Sturgeon: SNP leader in 60 seconds |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/21/nicola-sturgeon-snp-leader-in-60-seconds/ |access-date=17 July 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=21 March 2016}}</ref> She is the eldest of three daughters born to Joan Kerr Sturgeon (''née'' Ferguson, born 1952), a [[Registered Dental Nurse|dental nurse]], and Robin Sturgeon (born 1948), an electrician.<ref>For her parents' names: [http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U36626 "Sturgeon, Nicola"], ''Who's Who 2014'', A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014 ; online edn, Nov 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2015 (subscription required).</ref> Her family has some roots in [[North East England]]; her paternal grandmother was from [[Ryhope]] in what is now the [[City of Sunderland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32991705|title = Sunderland roots of SNP's Nicola Sturgeon|last = Rhodes|first = David|date = 3 June 2015|work = BBC News|access-date = 3 June 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150811072159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32991705|archive-date = 11 August 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>
Sturgeon grew up in [[Prestwick]] and [[Dreghorn]]. She attended Dreghorn Primary School from 1975 to 1982 and [[Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn|Greenwood Academy]] from 1982 to 1988. She later studied [[law]] at the [[University of Glasgow]], graduating with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (Hons) in 1992 and a [[Diploma in Legal Practice]] the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alba.org.uk/scot07constit/g04.html |title=Candidates and Constituency Assessments |publisher=Alba.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606052650/http://www.alba.org.uk/scot07constit/g04.html |archive-date=6 June 2011 }}</ref> 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]].
Following her graduation, Sturgeon completed her legal traineeship at [[McClure Naismith]], a Glasgow firm of solicitors, in 1995. After qualifying as a [[solicitor]], she worked for Bell & Craig, a firm of solicitors in [[Stirling]], and later at the [[Drumchapel]] [[Law Centre]] in [[Glasgow]] from 1997 until her election to the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=26 May 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en-GB|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915002848/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=15 September 2017}}</ref>
==Early political years==
In an interview with the BBC's ''[[Woman's Hour]]'', Sturgeon revealed that it was [[Margaret Thatcher]] who inspired her to enter politics, because, due to rising unemployment in Scotland at the time, she developed "a strong feeling that it was wrong for Scotland to be governed by a Tory government that we hadn't elected".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=26 May 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=14 September 2017|language=en-GB|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915002848/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=15 September 2017}}</ref>
Sturgeon joined the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) in 1986, having already become a member of the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]], and quickly became the party's Youth Affairs Vice Convener and Publicity Vice Convener.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/apr/sturgeon-now-or-never-banish-trident|title=Sturgeon: "Now or never" to banish Trident|date=5 April 2014|access-date=6 July 2014|publisher=Scottish National Party|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708202748/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/apr/sturgeon-now-or-never-banish-trident|archive-date=8 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm |title=About: Nicola Sturgeon MSP |publisher=Scottish National Party |access-date=2 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715123308/http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm |archive-date=15 July 2016 }}</ref> She first stood for election in the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]] as the SNP candidate in the [[Glasgow Shettleston (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Shettleston]] constituency, and was the youngest parliamentary candidate in Scotland, failing to win the seat.
Sturgeon also stood unsuccessfully as the SNP candidate for the Irvine North [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|ward]] on [[Cunninghame]] District Council in May 1992, for the [[Baillieston]]/[[Mount Vernon, Glasgow|Mount Vernon]] ward on [[Strathclyde|Strathclyde Regional Council]] in 1994, and for the [[Bridgeton, Glasgow|Bridgeton]] ward on [[Glasgow City Council]] in 1995.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
In the mid-1990s Sturgeon and [[Charles Kennedy]] went together on a political study visit to Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32975311|title=Sturgeon on Charles Kennedy 'a most talented politician'|work=BBC News|date=2 June 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602110544/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32975311|archive-date=2 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dathan|first1=Matt|title=Nicola Sturgeon reveals how she and Charles Kennedy watched Trainspotting together as she pays tribute to former Lib Dem leader|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-reveals-how-she-and-charles-kennedy-watched-trainspotting-together-as-she-pays-tribute-to-former-lib-dem-leader-10292645.html|website=independent.co.uk|date=2 June 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603075431/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-reveals-how-she-and-charles-kennedy-watched-trainspotting-together-as-she-pays-tribute-to-former-lib-dem-leader-10292645.html|archive-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>
The [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]] saw Sturgeon selected to fight the [[Glasgow Govan (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] seat for the SNP. Boundary changes meant that the notional [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] majority in the seat had increased substantially. However, infighting between the two rival candidates for the Labour nomination, [[Mohammad Sarwar (politician)|Mohammed Sarwar]] and [[Mike Watson, Baron Watson of Invergowrie|Mike Watson]], along with an energetic local campaign,{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} resulted in Glasgow Govan being the only Scottish seat to see a swing away from Labour in the midst of a Labour [[Landslide victory|landslide]] nationwide. Sarwar did, however, win the seat with a majority of 2,914 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/news/05/0505/stats.shtml|title=BBC Politics 97|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324034533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/news/05/0505/stats.shtml|archive-date=24 March 2015}}</ref> Shortly after this, Sturgeon was appointed as the SNP's spokesperson for energy and education matters.
===Election to Scottish Parliament, 1999===
Sturgeon stood for election to the [[Scottish Parliament]] in the [[1999 Scottish Parliament election|first Scottish Parliament election]] in 1999 as the SNP candidate for [[Glasgow Govan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon|title=Nicola Sturgeon {{!}} Biography & Facts|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008035648/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon|archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Although she failed to win the seat, she was placed first in the SNP's regional list for the [[Glasgow (Scottish Parliamentary Electoral Area)|Glasgow region]], and was thus elected as a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]. During the first term of the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon served as a member of the [[Shadow Cabinet]]s of both [[Alex Salmond]] and [[John Swinney]]. She was [[Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning|Shadow Minister for Children and Education]] from 1999 to 2000, [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing|Shadow Minister for Health and Community Care]] from 2000 to 2003, and [[Cabinet Secretary for Justice|Shadow Minister for Justice]] from 2003 to 2004. She also served as a member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and the Health and Community Care Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/32242.aspx|title=Nicola Sturgeon|website=The Scottish Parliament|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
===Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister===
[[File:Scottish Independence Referendum Bill (8577251468).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon, as Deputy First Minister, signs the ''[[Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013]]'']]
On 22 June 2004, John Swinney resigned as Leader of the SNP following poor results in the [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|European Parliament election]]. His then-depute,<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> [[Roseanna Cunningham]], immediately announced her intention to stand for the leadership. The previous leader, Alex Salmond, announced at the time that he would not stand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3828657.stm |title=Under-fire SNP leader resigns |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627024827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3828657.stm |archive-date=27 June 2004 }}</ref> On 24 June 2004, Sturgeon announced that she would also be a candidate in the forthcoming election for the leadership, with [[Kenny MacAskill]] as her running mate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3835951.stm |title=Sturgeon contests SNP leadership |work=BBC News |date=24 June 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702040939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3835951.stm |archive-date=2 July 2004 }}</ref>
However, Salmond later announced that he did intend to stand for the leadership; Sturgeon subsequently withdrew from the contest and declared her support for Salmond, standing instead as his running mate for the depute<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> leadership. It was reported that Salmond had privately supported Sturgeon in her leadership bid, but decided to run for the position himself as it became apparent she was unlikely to beat Cunningham.<ref>{{cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ian |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=809422004 |title=Edinburgh News, "Salmond in shock bid for leader" |publisher=Edinburghnews.scotsman.com |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921102702/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=809422004 |archive-date=21 September 2005 }}</ref> The majority of the SNP hierarchy lent their support to the Salmond–Sturgeon bid for the leadership, although MSP [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]] backed Salmond as leader, but refused to endorse Sturgeon as depute.<ref>{{cite web |last=Denholm |first=Andrew |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=922912004 |title=Scotsman.com, "Salmond's arch-rival buries hatchet with declaration of support" |publisher=Thescotsman.scotsman.com |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101133105/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=922912004 |archive-date=1 November 2005 }}</ref>
The results of the leadership contest were announced on 3 September 2004, with Salmond and Sturgeon elected as Leader and Depute<!-- This is how the SNP spell that word: "depute". It is not a spelling error--> Leader respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nicola-sturgeon-not-seat-westminster-5665836|title=Why does Nicola Sturgeon not have a seat in Westminster?|last=Leonard|first=Ian|date=9 May 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=21 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817084400/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nicola-sturgeon-not-seat-westminster-5665836|archive-date=17 August 2017}}</ref> As Salmond was still an MP in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], Sturgeon led the SNP at the Scottish Parliament until the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007 election]], when Salmond was elected as an MSP.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3622728.stm |title=Salmond named as new SNP leader |work=BBC News |date=3 September 2004 |access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref>
As leader of the SNP in the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon became a high-profile figure in Scottish politics and often clashed with [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Jack McConnell]] at [[First Minister's Questions (Scottish Parliament)|First Minister's Questions]]. This included rows over the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons']] decision to replace the Trident nuclear weapon system, and the SNP's plans to replace [[council tax]] in Scotland with a [[local income tax]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6454509.stm |title=Parties clash on Trident and tax |work=BBC News |date=15 March 2007 |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319190615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6454509.stm |archive-date=19 March 2007 }}</ref> Sturgeon defeated [[Gordon Jackson (politician)|Gordon Jackson]] with a 4.7% swing to the SNP in the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007 election]] in Glasgow Govan. The election resulted in a hung parliament, with the SNP the largest party by a single seat; the SNP subsequently formed a minority government. Sturgeon was appointed as the [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] and [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing]] by [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] Salmond. In the position she saw through party pledges such as scrapping prescription charges and reversing [[Emergency department|accident and emergency]] closures, she also became more widely known internationally for her handling of the [[2009 flu pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635|title=The Nicola Sturgeon story|work=BBC News|date=19 November 2014|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212154331/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635|archive-date=12 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sturgeon-snp-scotland-independence-campaign|title=Rise of Nicola Sturgeon: from 'nippy sweetie' to SNP leader?|publisher=Channel 4 News|date=24 September 2014|access-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221003604/http://www.channel4.com/news/sturgeon-snp-scotland-independence-campaign|archive-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> She was supported in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing by [[Shona Robison]] MSP, the [[Minister for Public Health and Sport]], and by Alex Neil MSP, the [[Minister for Housing and Communities]].
[[File:Nicola Sturgeon, DFM in Fort William.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon as Deputy First Minister speaking in [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]], 2011]]
At the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011 election]], the SNP won a large overall majority. Sturgeon was retained as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing until a reshuffle one year later, when she was appointed as [[Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities]] and an additional role overseeing the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on]] [[Scottish independence]], essentially putting her in charge of the SNP's referendum campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19487544|title=Scottish cabinet reshuffle: Nicola Sturgeon given new independence role|date=5 September 2012|access-date=6 July 2014|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031082123/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19487544|archive-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> In December 2012, Sturgeon said that she believed that independence would allow Scotland to build a stronger and more competitive country, and would change spending priorities to address "the scandal of soaring poverty in a country as rich as Scotland".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/25/scotland-independence-economy-grow-sturgeon |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Severin |last=Carrell |title=Scottish independence would allow economy to grow, says Sturgeon |date=25 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221151359/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/25/scotland-independence-economy-grow-sturgeon |archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref>
On 19 September 2014, independence was rejected in the Scottish independence referendum, with 55.3% of the voters voting no and 44.7% voting yes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full|title=Scottish independence referendum: final results in full|website=the Guardian|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118021834/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full|archive-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> Following the defeat of the [[Yes Scotland]] campaign, Salmond announced his resignation as First Minister and Leader of the SNP. Sturgeon immediately announced that she would be a candidate in the election to replace him, and received huge support from the SNP hierarchy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-as-alex-salmond-steps-down-nicola-sturgeon-waits-for-her-chance-to-lead-9744791.html|title=Scottish referendum results: As Alex Salmond steps down, Nicola Sturgeon waits for her chance to lead|work=The Independent|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207170153/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-as-alex-salmond-steps-down-nicola-sturgeon-waits-for-her-chance-to-lead-9744791.html|archive-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/alex-salmond-resigns-will-snp-deputy-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-replace-him-1466335|title=Alex Salmond Resigns: Will SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Replace Him?|website=International Business Times UK|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202073510/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/alex-salmond-resigns-will-snp-deputy-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-replace-him-1466335|archive-date=2 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html|title=Scottish independence: referendum results – live – ''The Daily Telegraph''|date=19 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020202621/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html|archive-date=20 October 2014}}</ref> Sturgeon said that there would be "no greater privilege" than to lead the SNP. On Salmond's resignation, Sturgeon said:
<blockquote>The personal debt of gratitude I owe Alex is immeasurable. He has been my friend, mentor and colleague for more than 20 years. Quite simply, I would not have been able to do what I have in politics without his constant advice, guidance and support through all these years. [...] I can think of no greater privilege than to seek to lead the party I joined when I was just 16. However, that decision is not for today.</blockquote>
Following the referendum defeat, Sturgeon said that "further devolution is the route to independence".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/nicola-sturgeon-devo-is-route-to-independence-1-3563052|title=Nicola Sturgeon: 'Devo is route to independence'|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112072433/http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/nicola-sturgeon-devo-is-route-to-independence-1-3563052|archive-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> She also opined that Scottish independence was a matter of "when, not if".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-when-not-if-says-nicola-sturgeon-1468625|title='Scottish Independence is a When Not an If' says Nicola Sturgeon|website=International Business Times UK|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129234132/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-when-not-if-says-nicola-sturgeon-1468625|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref>
===Leadership of the Scottish National Party===
[[File:First Minister outside Bute House (15865040071).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon outside [[Bute House]] in Edinburgh upon her appointment as [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]], 2014]]
On 24 September 2014, Sturgeon officially launched her campaign bid to succeed Salmond as Leader of the Scottish National Party at the [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|November leadership election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp|title=Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond|author=Severin Carrell|website=the Guardian|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016055030/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp|archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html|title=Nicola Sturgeon predicts independence 'one day' as she launches bid to replace Alex Salmond|date=24 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014063327/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html|archive-date=14 October 2014}}</ref> It quickly became apparent that no other candidate would be able to receive enough required nominations to run a credible leadership campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29292324|title=BBC News – Nicola Sturgeon backed by former SNP leader Gordon Wilson to replace Salmond|website=BBC News|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021063058/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29292324|archive-date=21 October 2014}}</ref> During the speech launching her campaign, Sturgeon announced that she would resign as Depute Leader, triggering a concurrent [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|depute leadership election]]; the MSPs [[Angela Constance]] and [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]] and the MP [[Stewart Hosie]] all nominated themselves to succeed Sturgeon as Depute Leader.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html|title=Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie stand for SNP deputy leadership|date=25 September 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113145639/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html|archive-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/angela-constance-i-know-why-yes-campaign-failed-1-3559358|title=Angela Constance: 'I know why Yes campaign failed'|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110230439/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/angela-constance-i-know-why-yes-campaign-failed-1-3559358|archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref>
Nominations for the SNP leadership closed on 15 October, with Sturgeon confirmed as the only candidate. 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.<ref name="SNP leadership elections close">{{cite web|title=SNP leadership elections close |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/close-nominations-snp-leadership-elections |website=SNP |publisher=SNP |access-date=15 October 2014 |ref=SNP Leadership elections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017154520/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/close-nominations-snp-leadership-elections |archive-date=17 October 2014 }}</ref> On this date, Sturgeon also came out on top in a trust rating opinion poll, conducted for the SNP, which indicated that 54% of the Scottish population trusted her to "stand up for Scotland's interests".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-tops-politician-trust-rating-poll-1-3562244|title=Nicola Sturgeon tops politician trust rating poll|work=The Scotsman|date=3 October 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113124921/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-tops-politician-trust-rating-poll-1-3562244|archive-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>
Sturgeon was formally acclaimed as the first female Leader of the SNP on 14 November 2014 at the Autumn Conference in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], with Hosie as her depute. This also made her First Minister-Designate, given the SNP's absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/new-snp-leadership-team-sturgeon-and-hosie|title=New SNP leadership team: Sturgeon and Hosie|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117035008/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/new-snp-leadership-team-sturgeon-and-hosie|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref> In her first speech as leader, Sturgeon said that it was "the privilege of her life" to lead the party she joined as a teenager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423|title=SNP conference: Nicola Sturgeon appointed party leader|work=BBC News|date=14 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117060615/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423|archive-date=17 November 2014}}</ref>
==First Minister of Scotland==
{{Infobox administration
| image = EU citizens vital to Scotland (49414089211).jpg
| image_size =
| name = Premiership of Nicola Sturgeon
| term_start = 20 November 2014
| term_end = present
| premier = Nicola Sturgeon
| premier_link = First Minister of Scotland
| cabinet = [[First Sturgeon government|1st Sturgeon government]]<br>[[Second Sturgeon government|2nd Sturgeon government]]
| party = [[Scottish National Party]]
| election = [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016]]
| appointer = Elizabeth II
| seat = [[Bute House]]
| predecessor = [[Alex Salmond#First Minister of Scotland|Alex Salmond]]
| successor =
| seal =
| seal_size =
| seal_caption =
| official_url =
}}
===First term: 2014–2016===
On 18 November 2014, Salmond formally resigned as [[First Minister of Scotland]] and the election for the new First Minister took place the following day. Sturgeon and [[Ruth Davidson]], the leader of the [[Scottish Conservative Party|Scottish Conservatives]], stood for election. Sturgeon received 66 votes, Davidson received 15 and there were 39 abstentions. As mentioned above, the SNP's absolute majority made Sturgeon's election all but certain.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Nicola Sturgeon is elected first minister of Scotland|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30118626|work = BBC News|date = 19 November 2014|access-date = 28 January 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150220125708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30118626|archive-date = 20 February 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> On 20 November 2014, Sturgeon was formally sworn into office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-sworn-in-as-first-minister-1-3610975 |title=Nicola Sturgeon sworn in as First Minister |publisher=Johnston Press |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123073826/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nicola-sturgeon-sworn-in-as-first-minister-1-3610975 |archive-date=23 November 2014 }}</ref> The same day, she was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] and therefore granted the style '[[The Right Honourable]]'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Privy Council appointments: November 2014|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-november-2014|website=Press release|publisher=Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street|access-date=16 April 2015|date=20 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110103205/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-november-2014|archive-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> On 21 November, she unveiled her [[Scottish Cabinet|Cabinet]] with a 50/50 gender balance, promoting [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth|Finance Secretary]] John Swinney to become her [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-cabinet-equal-gender-balance |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces Scottish cabinet with equal gender balance |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=2 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514192555/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-cabinet-equal-gender-balance |archive-date=14 May 2015 }}</ref>
During her first First Minister's Questions after being sworn in, Sturgeon tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying that she came into her new post "with an open mind and a willingness to hear proposals from all sides of the chamber."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLkmguGQ8a4 Nicola Sturgeon officially sworn in as Scotland's First Minister]. [[STV News]], 20 November 2014.</ref>
====2015 UK general election====
Sturgeon took part in several Scottish and UK-wide [[2015 United Kingdom general election debates|TV election debates]] in the run up to the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] and according to opinion polls was regarded to have had a successful performance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/polls-confirm-nicola-sturgeon-tv-debate-success-1-3747812 |title=Polls "confirm Nicola Sturgeon TV debate success" |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=21 April 2015 |access-date=13 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100132/http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/polls-confirm-nicola-sturgeon-tv-debate-success-1-3747812 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> The SNP went on to win a [[landslide victory]] in Scotland, with 56 out of 59 seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871|title=BElection 2015: SNP wins 56 of 59 seats in Scots landslide|work=BBC News|date=8 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521003643/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871|archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref>
On 4 April 2015, a leaked memo from the [[Scotland Office]] alleged that Sturgeon privately told the French ambassador [[Sylvie Bermann]] that she would "rather see [[David Cameron]] remain as PM". This was in contrast to her publicly stated opposition to a Conservative Government on the run up to the election.<ref>{{cite news|last1=John|first1=Simon|title=Nicola Sturgeon secretly backs David Cameron|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11514933/Nicola-Sturgeon-secretly-backs-David-Cameron.html|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=3 April 2015|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421104508/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11514933/Nicola-Sturgeon-secretly-backs-David-Cameron.html|archive-date=21 April 2015}}</ref> The memo was quickly denied by both Sturgeon and the French consulate.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lewis |last=Smith |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/sturgeon-denies-telling-french-ambassador-she-wants-the-tories-to-win-the-election-10155267.html |title='Categorically, 100%, untrue': Nicola Sturgeon denies telling French ambassador she wants the Tories to win the election |publisher=Independent Print Limited |newspaper=The Independent |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=17 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617184706/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/sturgeon-denies-telling-french-ambassador-she-wants-the-tories-to-win-the-election-10155267.html |archive-date=17 June 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32182452|title=French consul general denies Nicola Sturgeon Tory comments|website=BBC News|date=4 April 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407082959/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32182452|archive-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> It was later noted that the memo had contained a disclaimer that parts of the conversation may have been "lost in translation" and its release had been ordered by then [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Scottish Secretary]] [[Alistair Carmichael]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Settle|first1=Michael|title=Carmichael caught in his own tangled web of deceit|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/carmichael-caught-in-his-own-tangled-web-of-deceit.126958092|website=HeraldScotland.com|access-date=23 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526012230/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/carmichael-caught-in-his-own-tangled-web-of-deceit.126958092|archive-date=26 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32874009|title=Alistair Carmichael rejects calls to resign over leaked Nicola Sturgeon memo|website=BBC News|date=25 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527214320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32874009|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Sturgeon stated that Carmichael had "engaged in dirty tricks" and that he should consider his position as an [[Member of Parliament|MP]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32849065|title=Nicola Sturgeon condemns Alistair Carmichael leak 'dirty tricks'|website=BBC News|date=22 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525040118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32849065|archive-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>
==== 2016 Scottish Parliament election ====
Sturgeon contested her first election as SNP leader at the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016 election]]. The SNP fell two seats short of securing another overall majority, but remained the largest party in the chamber, with more than double the seats of the next-largest party, the Scottish Conservatives.<ref name="results">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-scotland-36243712 |title=New MSPs to arrive at Holyrood for first day |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509101055/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-scotland-36243712 |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="map">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-36215186 |title=Election 2016: Before-and-after and party strength maps |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=6 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509104930/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-36215186 |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref>
Sturgeon was formally nominated for a second term on 17 May, defeating Lib Dem leader [[Willie Rennie]] by a vote of 63 to 5, with 59 members abstaining.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892 | title=Nicola Sturgeon wins Scottish first minister vote | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC | date=17 May 2016 | access-date=17 May 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517211603/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892 | archive-date=17 May 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
===Second term: 2016–present===
====2016 EU membership referendum====
[[File:Deputy Secretary Blinken Meets With Scottish First Minister Sturgeon (18490445358).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[United States Deputy Secretary of State]] [[Tony Blinken]], 2015]]
The UK Government held the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]] to decide the future of the United Kingdom's European Union membership, in which all 32 council areas in Scotland voted by a majority for the United Kingdom to remain a member of the EU. Across Scotland, 62% of voters backed the UK remaining a member of the EU, with 38% voting for the UK to leave. Overall 52% of voters in the United Kingdom voted for [[Brexit]] (leaving the EU), with 48% voting to remain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results|title=EU Referendum Results|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624000307/http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>
In response to the result, on 24 June 2016, Sturgeon said that [[Scottish Government]] officials would begin planning for a second independence referendum.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brexit-referendum/scotland-could-seek-independence-again-after-u-k-brexit-vote-n598166|title=Scotland Seeks Independence Again After U.K. 'Brexit' Vote|first=Alastair|last=Jamieson|date=24 June 2016|work=NBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624095905/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brexit-referendum/scotland-could-seek-independence-again-after-u-k-brexit-vote-n598166|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/brexit-scotland-independence-referendum.html|title=Scotland Says New Vote on Independence Is 'Highly Likely'|first=Kimiko|last=De Freytas-Tamura|date=25 June 2016|work=The New York Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050257/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/brexit-scotland-independence-referendum.html|archive-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> Sturgeon claimed that it was "clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union" and that Scotland had "spoken decisively" with a "strong, unequivocal" vote to remain in the European Union.<ref name="ft2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/06a90f8c-39c0-11e6-a780-b48ed7b6126f.html#axzz4CRXecPen|title=Scots' backing for Remain raises threat of union's demise|first=Mure|last=Dickie|date=24 June 2016|newspaper=Financial Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627153845/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/06a90f8c-39c0-11e6-a780-b48ed7b6126f.html#axzz4CRXecPen|archive-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> Sturgeon said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland could be taken out of the EU "against its will".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1716977/second-scotland-referendum-highly-likely|title=Second Scotland Referendum 'Highly Likely'|publisher=Sky News|date=24 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624120648/http://news.sky.com/story/1716977/second-scotland-referendum-highly-likely|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>
On 24 June, Sturgeon said she would communicate to all EU member states that Scotland had voted to stay in the EU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe|title=Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish referendum 'highly likely' – as it happened|date=24 June 2016|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211043100/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe|archive-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> An emergency Scottish cabinet meeting on 25 June agreed that the Scottish Government would seek to enter negotiations with the EU and its member states, to explore options to protect Scotland's place in the EU."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/25/sturgeon-seeks-urgent-brussels-talks-to-protect-scotlands-eu-membership|title=Sturgeon to lobby EU members to support Scotland's bid to remain|first1=Severin|last1=Carrell|first2=Jennifer|last2=Rankin|date=25 June 2016|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103182025/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/25/sturgeon-seeks-urgent-brussels-talks-to-protect-scotlands-eu-membership|archive-date=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="stv250616">{{cite web |url=http://stv.tv/news/politics/1358598-sturgeon-to-seek-eu-talks-to-protect-scotland-s-memebrship/ |title=Sturgeon to seek EU talks to 'protect' Scotland's membership |first=Aidan |last=Kerr |website=STV News |publisher=STV |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=27 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628005333/http://stv.tv/news/politics/1358598-sturgeon-to-seek-eu-talks-to-protect-scotland-s-memebrship/ |archive-date=28 June 2016 }}</ref> Sturgeon later said that while she believed in Scottish independence, her starting point in these discussions was to protect Scotland's relationship with the EU.<ref>
{{cite news |author=Press Association<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Nicola Sturgeon says independence vote would be proposed 'if best or only way to protect EU place' |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/215192/nicola-sturgeon-says-independence-vote-proposed-best-way-protect-eu-place/ |newspaper=The Courier |location=Dundee, Scotland |date=28 June 2016 |access-date=28 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629154441/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/215192/nicola-sturgeon-says-independence-vote-proposed-best-way-protect-eu-place/ |archive-date=29 June 2016 }}</ref> May's comments confirmed that the PM wanted the Scottish government to be "fully engaged" in the process.
[[File:The new Scottish Cabinet meet at Bute House (26609698973).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon chairs a meeting of her newly appointed [[Second Sturgeon government|2016 cabinet]]]]
====Future referendum on independence====
Sturgeon confirmed in June 2016 that the Scottish government had formally agreed to draft legislation to allow a second independence referendum to take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36631738|title=EU referendum: The 'stark difference' between Wales and Scotland|work=BBC News|date=25 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628182427/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36631738|archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> As the constitution is a reserved matter under the [[Scotland Act 1998]], for a future referendum on Scottish independence to be legal under UK law, it would need to receive the consent of the British Parliament to take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/contents|title=Scotland Act 1998|website=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=25 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629003653/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/contents|archive-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
Prior to the day the Prime Minister triggered [[Article 50]], formally allowing the process of the United Kingdom leaving the [[European Union]], the [[Scottish Parliament]] voted 69 to 59 in favour of another independence referendum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/28/scottish-parliament-votes-for-second-independence-referendum-nicola-sturgeon|title=Scottish parliament votes for second independence referendum|last=editor|first=Severin Carrell Scotland|date=28 March 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 April 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406103856/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/28/scottish-parliament-votes-for-second-independence-referendum-nicola-sturgeon|archive-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> By the end of that week, on 30 March 2017, Sturgeon wrote to the Prime Minister requesting a Section 30 order, formally devolving the responsibility and power to the [[Scottish Government]] to plan for and hold another referendum on Scottish Independence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-independence-referendum-theresa-may-request-a7659201.html|title=Nicola Sturgeon writes letter to Theresa May requesting second Scottish independence referendum|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=31 March 2017|work=The Independent|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819061701/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-independence-referendum-theresa-may-request-a7659201.html|archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/theresa-may-now-is-not-the-time-for-indyref2-1-4393668|title=Theresa May: 'Now is not the time' for indyref2|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=6 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401061410/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/theresa-may-now-is-not-the-time-for-indyref2-1-4393668|archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
Following the 2017 UK general election, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the Scottish Government would postpone legislation pertaining to the proposed second referendum on Scottish independence until at least autumn 2018, when it is believed that the outcome of Brexit negotiations should become clearer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/voters-want-break-says-nicola-sturgeon-postpones-indyref2/|title=Voters want a break, says Nicola Sturgeon as she postpones IndyRef2|last=Green|first=Chris|date=27 June 2017|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
====European Union membership====
[[File:FM meets with Juncker.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Sturgeon meets [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], [[President of the European Commission]] in [[Brussels]], 2017]]
In response to the UK-wide vote for the United Kingdom to leave the [[European Union]], the [[Scottish Government]], headed by Sturgeon, launched the ''Scotland's Place in Europe'' document, a white paper setting out the Scottish Government's aims and wishes of Scotland's role in Europe post-Brexit. The paper was sent to the central [[British Government]] to be read by Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].
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". In the same interview, Sturgeon committed to no independence referendum being held prior to the terms of a UK wide Brexit deal being agreed and presented.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/nicola-sturgeon-says-difficult-theresa-may-will-struggle-with-brexit-talks |title=Nicola Sturgeon says 'difficult' Theresa May will struggle with Brexit talks |access-date=8 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714061853/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/nicola-sturgeon-says-difficult-theresa-may-will-struggle-with-brexit-talks |archive-date=14 July 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2017 |last1=Asthana |first1=Anushka |last2=Carrell |first2=Severin }}</ref>
With a view towards Brexit, Sturgeon demanded greater powers for the Scottish Parliament, arguing that Brexit is threatening Scotland's [[Scottish devolution settlement|devolution settlement]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-calls-for-united-front-to-protect-devolution-1-4556755|title=Nicola Sturgeon calls for united front to protect devolution|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=14 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912131031/http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-calls-for-united-front-to-protect-devolution-1-4556755|archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
====2017 Scottish local elections====
{{Main|2017 Scottish local elections}}
Sturgeon and the SNP went into the Scottish council elections that were held on 4 May 2017, as the largest political party in the 32 local council areas in Scotland, having 424 councillors elected to serve on the councils across Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/vote2012/council/scotland.stm|title=BBC News – Vote 2012 – Scottish Council Results|website=BBC News|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506180240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/vote2012/council/scotland.stm|archive-date=6 May 2017}}</ref> Publicly speaking about the 2017 Scottish council elections, Sturgeon has said that the elections were a clear choice between voting for herself and [[Ruth Davidson]], the leader of the [[Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party]], citing the stark fall in support of the [[Scottish Labour Party]] and their leader [[Kezia Dugdale]] over the past several years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/15237638.Sturgeon__Council_elections_a_choice_between_SNP_and_Tories/|title=Sturgeon: Council elections a choice between SNP and Tories|website=HeraldScotland|access-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430030051/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/15237638.Sturgeon__Council_elections_a_choice_between_SNP_and_Tories/|archive-date=30 April 2017}}</ref>
While failing to win any outright overall control in any council area in Scotland, the SNP emerged as the largest political group in sixteen councils, including [[Glasgow City Council|Glasgow]], [[City of Edinburgh Council|Edinburgh]] and [[Aberdeen City Council|Aberdeen]] for the first time. However, on a notional basis, the SNP suffered a net loss of 7 councillors compared to 2012. The party also lost its majorities in [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] and [[Dundee]] to no overall control.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c50znx8v8m4t/scotland-local-elections-2017|title=Scotland local elections 2017|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> Following the results, Sturgeon claimed that the election was a "clear and emphatic victory for the SNP', despite the large number of seats gained by the [[Scottish Conservatives]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39806664|title=Council election results: Sturgeon hails victory despite Tory surge|date=5 May 2017|access-date=28 June 2017|via=www.bbc.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603133158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39806664|archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref>
====2017 UK general election====
{{Main|2017 United Kingdom general election}}
[[File:First Minister meets Simon Coveney - Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (49059862136).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[Simon Coveney]], [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ireland)]]]]
The SNP lost 21 seats in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election in Scotland]] amid a swing to the Scottish Conservatives of 13.7%, although remained the biggest party in Scotland. Sturgeon admitted that these results were "bitterly disappointing" and acknowledged that her party's plans for a second referendum were 'undoubtedly' a factor in the election results.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 June 2017|title=Sturgeon: Indyref2 'factor' in SNP losses|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748|access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref>
====Alex Salmond sexual harassment case====
{{Main|Alex Salmond scandal}}
In January 2019, Sturgeon referred herself to an independent ministerial ethics body, which will lead to an investigation into her actions with respect to a [[Alex Salmond#Trial and acquittal on sexual misconduct allegations|sexual harassment case concerning allegations against Salmond]]. This followed her admitting that she had a secret meeting and subsequent phone call with Salmond about the Scottish government's allegations against him. She raised these with the Permanent Secretary to the [[Scottish Government]], [[Leslie Evans]], two months later, rather than reporting them immediately, as she should if they constitute government matters (as per the ministerial code). Sturgeon argued that the meetings were SNP party matters, and thus not covered. The investigating panel will consist of Dame [[Elish Angiolini]], a former [[Solicitor General for Scotland]] and [[lord advocate]], and [[James Hamilton (barrister)|James Hamilton]], a former [[Director of Public Prosecutions (Ireland)|director of public prosecutions]] in the Republic of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/13/nicola-sturgeon-refers-herself-ethics-body-salmond-case|title=Sturgeon refers herself to ethics body over actions in Salmond case|first=Severin Carrell Scotland|last=editor|date=13 January 2019|via=www.theguardian.com|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
On 15 January 2019, the [[Scottish Parliament]] agreed to hold its own inquiry into the matter, the [[Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/111052.aspx|title=Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints|date=23 December 2020|website=www.parliament.scot|accessdate=2 March 2021}}</ref> to investigate how the Government breached its own guidelines in its original investigation into the harassment claims against Salmond, and then lost a judicial review into their actions and had to pay over £500,000 to Salmond for legal expenses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-46876847|title=MSPs to hold inquiry over Salmond row|date=15 January 2019|access-date=15 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56209521|title=Alex Salmond says there is 'no doubt' Nicola Sturgeon broke ministerial code|date=26 February 2021|accessdate=2 March 2021|work=BBC News}}</ref> Sturgeon's husband, [[Peter Murrell]], was called to this inquiry to give evidence on 8 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Salmond inquiry likely to recall SNP chief exec and Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/alex-salmond-inquiry-likely-recall-snp-chief-exec-and-nicola-sturgeons-husband-peter-murrell-3062334|access-date=2020-12-10|work=The Scotsman|language=en}}</ref> Opposition parties criticised Sturgeon on disparity and contradictions between the narratives of Murrell and herself.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-09|title=MSPs bid to recall SNP chief Peter Murrell to Salmond inquiry|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55247449|access-date=2020-12-10}}</ref>
Sturgeon initially told parliament that she had first heard of the complaints against Salmond when he told her of them at a meeting on 2 April 2018.<ref name="auto"/> However, 18 months later, she revised her account, saying she had forgotten about an earlier meeting, on 29 March 2018, in which Salmond's former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein told her about the complaints.<ref name="auto"/> Critics have described this as a possible breach of the ministerial code, which states that any minister who deliberately misleads parliament should resign.<ref name="auto"/> The 29 March meeting was not recorded: meetings on government business are meant to be recorded, but Sturgeon has said this is because it was an SNP meeting.<ref name="auto"/> In his evidence to the committee, Salmond said there was "no doubt" that Sturgeon had broken the ministerial code in not revealing the 29 March meeting sooner and in not recording what was really a meeting about government business.<ref name="auto"/> Sturgeon denies any wrongdoing.<ref name="auto"/> Documents and emails published on 2 March 2021 showed that two people supported Salmond's assertion that the meeting was convened as a government, not party, matter.<ref name="Salmond2Mar21" /> The publication also backed up Salmond's allegation that the identity of one of his accusers had been passed to his former chief of staff, contradicting Sturgeon's statement that "to the very best of my knowledge I do not think that happened".<ref name="Salmond2Mar21">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56259056|title=Calls for Nicola Sturgeon to quit over Alex Salmond revelations|date=2 March 2021|accessdate=2 March 2021|work=BBC News}}</ref> On 19 March 2021, it was reported that a majority of MSPs on the Alex Salmond committee voted to affirm that Nicola Sturgeon misled the inquiry.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-19|title=MSPs on Alex Salmond committee say Nicola Sturgeon misled them|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56451170|access-date=2021-03-21}}</ref> Subsequently, a representative for Sturgeon claimed that the committee were simply, "smearing" the First Minister and being party-political.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-25|title=Independent MSP Andy Wightman defends Holyrood inquiry report|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56513356|access-date=2021-04-10}}</ref>
====2019 UK general election====
{{Main|2019 United Kingdom general election}}
[[File:Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK (32799238507).jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[High Commission of Pakistan, London|High Commissioner of Pakistan]] Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, 2019]]
Sturgeon led her party to a [[landslide victory]] in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election in Scotland]]. The SNP won 48 seats, and came second place in the 11 others; their 45% of the vote yielded 80% of the seats in Scotland.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50789131|title=Election 2019: the result in Scotland in numbers|last=Sim|first=Philip|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> Among the election casualties was [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] leader [[Jo Swinson]], who lost her seat in [[East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Dunbartonshire.]] Sturgeon was branded as "ungracious" when she was filmed by [[Sky News]] celebrating Swinson's defeat. Sturgeon apologised for being overexcited although expressed that she was celebrating [[Amy Callaghan]]'s win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2019/dec/13/nicola-sturgeon-celebrates-as-snp-candidate-takes-jo-swinsons-seat-video|title=Nicola Sturgeon filmed celebrating Jo Swinson's defeat to SNP's Amy Callaghan – video|last1=Sky|first1=Source|date=13 December 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 December 2019|last2=Reuters|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/nicola-sturgeon-i-got-overexcited-in-reaction-to-jo-swinson-loss-11885572|title=Nicola Sturgeon: 'I got overexcited' in reaction to Jo Swinson loss|website=Sky News|language=en|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-branded-ungracious-after-celebrating-jo-swinson-losing-her-seat-1-5062027|title=Nicola Sturgeon branded 'ungracious' after celebrating Jo Swinson losing her seat|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/nicola-sturgeon-tips-east-dunbartonshires-amy-callaghan-to-be-one-of-the-stars-of-the-commons/|title=Nicola Sturgeon tips East Dunbartonshire's Amy Callaghan to be one of the stars of the Commons|last=Swindon|first=Peter|website=The Sunday Post|language=en-US|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> In the wake of the results, Sturgeon said that [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Boris Johnson]] has "no right" to stand in the way of another Scottish independence referendum after an "overwhelming" SNP election victory. She also said that the result "renews, reinforces and strengthens" the mandate for [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|Indyref2]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50779724|title=Sturgeon: PM has 'no right' to block Indyref2|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>
====COVID–19 pandemic====
{{see|COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland}}
[[File:First Minister's COVID-19 Statement - 16 April 2020 (49781060278).jpg|thumb|left|Sturgeon addressing the nation at a Scottish Government daily COVID-19 briefing]]
The [[COVID-19 pandemic|worldwide pandemic]] of [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] occurred during Sturgeon's second term as First Minister. To contain and limit the number of affected people in Scotland, Sturgeon and the [[Scottish Government]] highlighted a number of measures advised by [[NHS Scotland]], initially maintaining effective hand washing.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51904721 |title=Coronavirus: Some Scottish schools close for deep clean – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=16 March 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> The first confirmed case of the virus in Scotland was announced on 1 March 2020, when a resident in [[Tayside]] had tested positive. In the following days, Sturgeon issued further advice and guidance as the number of positive cases began to increase, but had said that closures of public places such as schools and shops "would be reviewed".<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
Sturgeon announced to the [[Scottish Parliament]] on 18 March that all schools and nurseries in Scotland would close on 20 March to try and limit the spread of the virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51928400 |title=Coronavirus: Schools in Scotland and Wales to close from Friday – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> On 23 March, Sturgeon issued a statement, placing Scotland on a "lockdown", limiting the reasons as to why people may leave their homes in an increase attempt to limit the spread of the virus, to protect the health of the population, as well as to ease the pressure the virus places on [[NHS Scotland]] services and workforce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52007540 |title=Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon says new rules amount to 'lockdown' – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> Since then restrictions have been frequently tightened, loosened and adapted in parts or all of Scotland to respond to developments in the situation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPICe|date=2021-01-22|title=Timeline of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland|url=https://spice-spotlight.scot/2021/01/22/timeline-of-coronavirus-covid-19-in-scotland/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=SPICe Spotlight {{!}} Solas air SPICe|language=en-GB}}</ref>
During the early stages of the pandemic 1,300 elderly patients were transferred into care homes without receiving a negative coronavirus test result.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56680666</ref> Many had been infected by the disease and ended up passing the virus onto other care home residents.<ref>https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-health-minister-admits-coronavirus-23879626?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar</ref> Over three thousand care home residents died from coronavirus<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-covid-error-turned-care-homes-into-morgues-xt2652t8k</ref> and Gary Smith, Scotland secretary of the GMB, said the policy had turned “care homes into morgues”.<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-covid-error-turned-care-homes-into-morgues-xt2652t8k</ref> When asked by the BBC if the policy had been a mistake, Sturgeon said: "Looking back on that now, with the knowledge we have now and with the benefit of hindsight, yes."
In March 2021, the [[Court of Session]] declared that the Scottish Government's prohibition on communal worship, imposed during the pandemic, was unlawful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56511585 |title=Covid in Scotland: Places of worship can open now after court win |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> This followed an open letter two months earlier, written by 200 church leaders to Sturgeon, warning her that the prohibition could be unlawful.<ref>{{cite web |last=Petrie |first=Calum |date=13 January 2021 |title=Church leaders pile pressure on Sturgeon to lift public worship ban |publisher= |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/2808139/church-leaders-pile-pressure-on-sturgeon-to-lift-public-worship-ban/ |website=The Press and Journal |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
In April 2021 Scotland's death toll from coronavirus passed 10,000.<ref>https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19231926.covid-scotland-official-figures-show-death-toll-now-passed-10-000/</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56759166</ref>
===International relations===
[[File:Meeting of Nicola Sturgeon and Carrie Lam 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon on a trip to [[Hong Kong]] for talks with [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] [[Carrie Lam]].]]
While [[Foreign policy of the United Kingdom|foreign policy]] remains a [[reserved matter]],<ref name="parliament.scot">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722092046/http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |archive-date=22 July 2017 }}</ref> Sturgeon has undertaken a number of visits to Europe, North America and Asia to promote Scotland as a place of investment and Scottish businesses to trade and do business with.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe |title=Europe - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623101827/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Americas/north-america |title=International relations - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918064834/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Americas/north-america |archive-date=18 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Asia |title=International relations - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623035251/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Asia |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref> Sturgeon has committed to strengthening links between Scotland and the [[Africa]]n continent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Africa |title=International development - gov.scot |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623082436/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Africa |archive-date=23 June 2017 }}</ref>
In response to the Brexit vote, to discuss Scotland's interests, Sturgeon travelled to [[Brussels]] to meet with both [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], the [[President of the European Commission]] as well as [[Martin Schulz]], the [[President of the European Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |title=Protecting Scotland's role in the EU |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010004559/https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |date=30 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/schulz-empfaengt-schottin-sturgeon-zu-gespraech-ueber-brexit-folgen-14314820.htmlhtml |date=26 June 2006 |title=Schulz empfängt Schottin Sturgeon zu Gespräch über Brexit-Folgen |work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |language=de|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref>
====United States====
[[File:Nicola Sturgeon meets Icelandic Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon meets with [[Katrín Jakobsdóttir]], [[Prime Minister of Iceland]], 2019]]
Sturgeon was highly critical of [[Donald Trump]] and his policies during the [[2016 United States presidential election]] and had publicly backed his [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] rival [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backs-hillary-president-9204999 |title=Nicola Sturgeon breaks convention to back Hillary Clinton in Presidential race |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001214420/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backs-hillary-president-9204999 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |date=6 November 2016 }}</ref> Sturgeon highlighted her disapproval of his language and views relating to sexism and misogyny, and stated upon Trump's victory that she hopes "Trump turns out to be a president different to the one he was during his campaign and reaches out to those who felt vilified by his campaign".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37940485 |title=Sturgeon 'will not be silent' over Trump |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123083406/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37940485 |archive-date=23 January 2017 |work=BBC News |date=10 November 2016 }}</ref>
Sturgeon had previously stripped Trump of his ambassadorial role for Scottish businesses with the Scottish Government in the aftermath of Trump's views of an outright ban of [[Muslims]] from entering the United States. Sturgeon claimed following comments made by Trump in relation to Muslims entering the United States that he was "not fit" for the ambassadorial role with the Scottish Government.<ref name="stv.tv">{{cite web |url=https://stv.tv/news/politics/1378606-nicola-sturgeon-congratulates-donald-trump-on-inauguration/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon congratulates Donald Trump on inauguration |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213437/https://stv.tv/news/politics/1378606-nicola-sturgeon-congratulates-donald-trump-on-inauguration/ |archive-date=1 October 2017 |date=20 January 2017 }}</ref>
====Spain====
In the run up to the [[2017 Catalan independence referendum]], Nicola Sturgeon offered her own personal backing and that of the [[Scottish Government]] to [[Catalonia]] in the holding of a referendum.<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41350999 |title=Sturgeon backs Catalan referendum calls |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005050053/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41350999 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2017 }}</ref> The [[Government of Spain]] criticised Sturgeon, claiming she had "totally misunderstood" the situation in Spain and Catalonia.<ref name="Archived copy"/> Sturgeon highlighted that Spain should follow "the shining example" that was created as part of the [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)|Edinburgh Agreement]] between the Scottish and British Governments that allowed Scotland to hold a legally binding referendum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/15554327.Iain_Macwhirter__Madrid_should_have_learned_the_lesson_of_the_Scottish_independence_referendum/ |title=Iain Macwhirter: Madrid should have learned the lesson of the Scottish independence referendum |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022033/http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/15554327.Iain_Macwhirter__Madrid_should_have_learned_the_lesson_of_the_Scottish_independence_referendum/ |archive-date=2 October 2017 }}</ref>
==Political views==
[[File:Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn.jpg|thumb|right|Sturgeon attended [[Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn]] from 1982–1988]]
Sturgeon has campaigned against replacing the [[Trident nuclear programme|Trident nuclear weapons system]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-signs-rethink-trident-pledge-1-3865803 |title=Nicola Sturgeon signs 'Rethink Trident' pledge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207233427/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-signs-rethink-trident-pledge-1-3865803 |archive-date=7 December 2015 }}</ref> She has been a critic of [[austerity]], saying that the UK government's "austerity economics" is "morally unjustifiable and economically unsustainable".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31377373 |title=Nicola Sturgeon attacks 'Westminster austerity economics' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003143112/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31377373 |archive-date=3 October 2015 }}</ref> However, in 2018 she endorsed her party's Growth Commission report that pledged to reduced an independent Scotland's budget deficit as a percentage of GDP<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44237956</ref> - something the IFS concluded meant "continued austerity".<ref>https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,ifs-independent-scotland-would-face-continued-austerity-under-growth-commission-proposals_8823.htm</ref>
Sturgeon has also campaigned on [[women's rights]] and [[gender equality]], and is a self-described [[feminism|feminist]]; she has argued that Scotland's feminist movement is not simply symbolic, but "sends a powerful signal about equality".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/30/post-referendum-scotland-feminist-paradise |title=Is post-referendum Scotland a feminist paradise? |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221150909/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/30/post-referendum-scotland-feminist-paradise |archive-date=21 December 2016 }}</ref> She has hailed Scottish feminist economist [[Ailsa McKay]] as one of her inspirations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beaton|first=Connor|title= Economics professor passes after cancer battle|work=The Targe|date=6 March 2014}}</ref>
During the April 2019 SNP Conference held in [[Edinburgh]], Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency". She argued that Scotland's carbon dioxide emissions are irrevocably causing sea levels to rise, which could have a negative impact on Scotland's prospects of achieving [[Scottish independence|Independence]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48077802 |title=Nicola Sturgeon declares Climate Emergency' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428162602/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48077802 |archive-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>
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 three and a half times the rate in England and Wales.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-55184961</ref> Sturgeon sacked her Public Health Minister [[Joe FitzPatrick]] and in April 2021 admitted that she and her government "took our eye off the ball" on the issue.<ref>https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19231212.nicola-sturgeon-took-eye-off-ball-drug-deaths/</ref>
==Awards and acknowledgements==
Sturgeon won the [[Scottish Politician of the Year Award]] in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50517496|title=Nicola Sturgeon crowned 'Politician of the Year'|date=22 November 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> In 2004, 2008 and 2011 she also won the ''[[Donald Dewar]] Debater of the Year Award'' at the same event, which is organised by ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]'' newspaper.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lion and the saltire : a brief history of the Scottish National Party|last=McKay|first=Girvan|date=2016|publisher=LULU.com|isbn=978-1-326-40090-3|location=[Place of publication not identified]|publication-place=Raleigh, N.C.|page=90|oclc=980517958}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}
''[[Forbes]]'' magazine ranked Sturgeon as the 50th most powerful woman in the world in 2016 and 2nd in the United Kingdom.<ref name="2016 powerful women">{{cite web|title=The World's 100 Most Powerful Women|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/nicola-sturgeon/?list=power-women|website=Forbes|publisher=Forbes.com LLC|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812005503/http://www.forbes.com/profile/nicola-sturgeon/?list=power-women|archive-date=12 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36463186|title=Nicola Sturgeon ranked second most powerful woman in UK|work=BBC News|date=6 June 2016|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606170733/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36463186|archive-date=6 June 2016}}</ref> In 2015, [[BBC Radio 4|BBC Radio 4's]] ''[[Woman's Hour]]'' assessed Sturgeon to be the most powerful and influential woman in the United Kingdom.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33325915|title=Nicola Sturgeon tops Woman's Hour power list|access-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701105057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33325915|archive-date=1 July 2015|work=BBC News|date=July 2015}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Sturgeon lives in Glasgow with her husband, [[Peter Murrell]], who is the Chief Executive Officer of the SNP. The couple have been in a relationship since 2003. They announced their engagement on 29 January 2010,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://stv.tv/news/west-central/153973-nicola-sturgeon-announces-wedding-plans/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces wedding plans |publisher=STV |work=STV News |date=29 January 2010 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145742/https://stv.tv/news/west-central/153973-nicola-sturgeon-announces-wedding-plans/ |archive-date=19 August 2017 }}</ref> and were married on 16 July 2010 at [[Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church, Glasgow|Òran Mór]] in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-ties-the-knot-but-she-won-t-be-calling-herself-mrs-murrell-1-817668 |title=Nicola Sturgeon ties the knot — but she won't be calling herself Mrs Murrell |publisher=Johnston Press |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=16 July 2010 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919114046/http://www.scotsman.com/news/nicola-sturgeon-ties-the-knot-but-she-won-t-be-calling-herself-mrs-murrell-1-817668 |archive-date=19 September 2016 }}</ref> Her mother Joan was the SNP Provost of [[North Ayrshire]] council, where she was councillor for the Irvine East ward from 2007 until 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635 |title=The Nicola Sturgeon story |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=19 November 2014 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031075316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25333635 |archive-date=31 October 2016 }}</ref> In 2016, Sturgeon disclosed that she had miscarried five years previously.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37270135 |title=Nicola Sturgeon miscarriage: First minister reveals baby loss |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2016 |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907152846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37270135 |archive-date=7 September 2016 }}</ref>
==See also==
*[[List of First Ministers of Scotland]]
*[[List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_fm SNP profile]
* [http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/Nicola-Sturgeon-MSP.aspx Scottish Parliament profile]
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[[Category:Deputy First Ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Female heads of government in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Female members of the Scottish Parliament]]
[[Category:Female premiers and first ministers]]
[[Category:First Ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Health ministers of Scotland]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Scottish National Party]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 1999–2003]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2003–2007]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2007–2011]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2011–2016]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow constituencies]]
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[[Category:Scottish feminists]]
[[Category:Scottish National Party MSPs]]
[[Category:Scottish nationalists]]
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[[Category:Scottish solicitors]]
[[Category:Scottish women lawyers]]
[[Category:Women members of the Scottish Government]]' |
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff) | '@@ -241,4 +241,6 @@
In March 2021, the [[Court of Session]] declared that the Scottish Government's prohibition on communal worship, imposed during the pandemic, was unlawful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56511585 |title=Covid in Scotland: Places of worship can open now after court win |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> This followed an open letter two months earlier, written by 200 church leaders to Sturgeon, warning her that the prohibition could be unlawful.<ref>{{cite web |last=Petrie |first=Calum |date=13 January 2021 |title=Church leaders pile pressure on Sturgeon to lift public worship ban |publisher= |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/2808139/church-leaders-pile-pressure-on-sturgeon-to-lift-public-worship-ban/ |website=The Press and Journal |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
+
+In April 2021 Scotland's death toll from coronavirus passed 10,000.<ref>https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19231926.covid-scotland-official-figures-show-death-toll-now-passed-10-000/</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56759166</ref>
===International relations===
' |
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166 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51904721',
167 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52007540',
168 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56511585',
169 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19487544',
170 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423',
171 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32874009',
172 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32849065',
173 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39806664',
174 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31377373',
175 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37270135',
176 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41350999',
177 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48077802',
178 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50517496',
179 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56259056',
180 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50789131',
181 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50779724',
182 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results',
183 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36631738',
184 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-25333635',
185 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-55184961',
186 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56209521',
187 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56513356',
188 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56680666',
189 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011421',
190 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892',
191 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-46876847',
192 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748',
193 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55247449',
194 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56451170',
195 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44237956',
196 => 'https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon',
197 => 'https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-health-minister-admits-coronavirus-23879626?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar',
198 => 'https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/schulz-empfaengt-schottin-sturgeon-zu-gespraech-ueber-brexit-folgen-14314820.htmlhtml',
199 => 'https://www.forbes.com/profile/nicola-sturgeon/?list=power-women',
200 => 'https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-november-2014',
201 => 'https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19231212.nicola-sturgeon-took-eye-off-ball-drug-deaths/',
202 => 'https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,ifs-independent-scotland-would-face-continued-austerity-under-growth-commission-proposals_8823.htm',
203 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-reveals-how-she-and-charles-kennedy-watched-trainspotting-together-as-she-pays-tribute-to-former-lib-dem-leader-10292645.html',
204 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/sturgeon-denies-telling-french-ambassador-she-wants-the-tories-to-win-the-election-10155267.html',
205 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-independence-referendum-theresa-may-request-a7659201.html',
206 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-as-alex-salmond-steps-down-nicola-sturgeon-waits-for-her-chance-to-lead-9744791.html',
207 => 'https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nicola-sturgeon-not-seat-westminster-5665836',
208 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/brexit-scotland-independence-referendum.html',
209 => 'https://www.parliament.scot/msps/32242.aspx',
210 => 'https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/111052.aspx',
211 => 'https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/2808139/church-leaders-pile-pressure-on-sturgeon-to-lift-public-worship-ban/',
212 => 'https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/alex-salmond-inquiry-likely-recall-snp-chief-exec-and-nicola-sturgeons-husband-peter-murrell-3062334',
213 => 'https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-branded-ungracious-after-celebrating-jo-swinson-losing-her-seat-1-5062027',
214 => 'https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/nicola-sturgeon-tips-east-dunbartonshires-amy-callaghan-to-be-one-of-the-stars-of-the-commons/',
215 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/21/nicola-sturgeon-snp-leader-in-60-seconds/',
216 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html',
217 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11514933/Nicola-Sturgeon-secretly-backs-David-Cameron.html',
218 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html',
219 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html',
220 => 'https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/215192/nicola-sturgeon-says-independence-vote-proposed-best-way-protect-eu-place/',
221 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resignation-nicola-sturgeon-destiny',
222 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/25/scotland-independence-economy-grow-sturgeon',
223 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/nicola-sturgeon-scottish-cabinet-equal-gender-balance',
224 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/30/post-referendum-scotland-feminist-paradise',
225 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp',
226 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/28/scottish-parliament-votes-for-second-independence-referendum-nicola-sturgeon',
227 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/nicola-sturgeon-says-difficult-theresa-may-will-struggle-with-brexit-talks',
228 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe',
229 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full',
230 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2019/dec/13/nicola-sturgeon-celebrates-as-snp-candidate-takes-jo-swinsons-seat-video',
231 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/25/sturgeon-seeks-urgent-brussels-talks-to-protect-scotlands-eu-membership',
232 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/13/nicola-sturgeon-refers-herself-ethics-body-salmond-case',
233 => 'https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-covid-error-turned-care-homes-into-morgues-xt2652t8k',
234 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q467112#identifiers',
235 => 'https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-nb2001061168',
236 => 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLkmguGQ8a4'
] |
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node) | false |
Unix timestamp of change (timestamp) | 1618934123 |
