Why did Nicola Sturgeon resign? The First Minister’s resignation explained as new SNP leader is announced

“In my head and my heart, I know that time is now.” With these words, Nicola Sturgeon announced her shock resignation as Scotland’s First Minister in last month.

She said the funeral of independence activist Allan Angus had cemented her decision, though a number of issues, including the UK Government’s unprecedented veto on her gender reform plans and the unrelenting pressure of politics are thought to have contributed to this.

Her announcement was met with tributes from Rishi Sunak, and former UK prime ministers, including Theresa May and Gordon Brown.

As the next first minister is due to be announced today, i takes a look at why Ms Sturgeon stepped down, and what the newcomer may have to confront in her wake.

Why did she step down?

In her resignation address at Bute House, Ms Sturgeon said: “Since my very first moments in the job I have believed a part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else.

“In my head and in my heart I know that time is now. That it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”

She also explained that her decision was based on the lack of normal life she was able to have on the front line of Scottish politics. “A First Minister is never off duty. Particularly in this day and age, there is virtually no privacy,” she said.

“Ordinary stuff that most people take for granted, like going for a coffee with friends or for a walk on your own becomes very difficult.

“And the nature and form of modern political discourse means there is a much greater intensity – dare I say it, brutality – to life as a politician than in years gone by.

“All in all – and for a long time without it being apparent – it takes its toll, on you and on those around you.”

What next for Scottish Independence?

Ms Sturgeon had planned to fight the next general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence, but this will now fall into the lap of the incoming first minister.

She added that in order to achieve independence the SNP must “reach across the divide in Scottish politics”, saying a new leader “will be better able to do this”.

The three candidates for the job – Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan – will have to grapple with the future of Scottish Independence, while tackling weighty issues including the gender Bill, amidst the row over transgender prisoners.

Earlier this year, the UK Government blocked Sturgeon’s Scottish government Bill which aimed to introduce a system of self-identification for people wanting to change the gender they were assigned at birth by royal assent – a Bill supported across parties at Holyrood.

The news that a convicted double-rapist and transgender woman, Isla Bryson, was initially accommodated in a women’s prison and then moved to a men’s prison sparked much ongoing controversy.

Mr Yousaf has promised to secure Scottish independence by “any means necessary” if he becomes first minister, including through calling a snap Holyrood election.

The SNP leadership contender said the “first thing” he will do if he succeeds Ms Sturgeon at the end of this month will be to kick-start a fresh grassroots “Yes” campaign.

Ms Forbes has also claimed that independence is coming “sooner than people think” and that if elected, she will be the first minister to take Scotland out of the UK.

When will we know who the next first minister is?

Scotland’s new leader will be announced after 2pm today. The health secretary, Mr Yousaf, finance secretary, Ms Forbes, and former community safety minister, Ms Regan, are all vying for the job, and will be told about the results of the ballot by national secretary, Lorna Finn, at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Rugby stadium today.