Nicola Sturgeon

Since taking over the leadership of the SNP from Alex Salmond in 2014 Nicola Sturgeon has been enormously effective at running the government and providing a positive case that an independent Scotland is not only viable but essential to deliver the government services and society that the people of Scotland deserve. However in recent years, the lack of progress on the subject of independence has prompted criticism that she would rather pursue her social agenda first. In addition, while authoritative in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic there are calls that a large number of deaths could have been avoided if Scotland has adopted policies that took account of national circumstances rather than following the lead of Westminster.