Britain’s top leaders, including First Minister Rishi Sunak, have issued messages of support for Scotland’s chief minister, Nicola Sturgeon, following the announcement of her resignation, putting aside disagreements over key issues such as Scottish independence.
Sunak has thanked Sturgeon for her «long service» of more than eight years as chief minister alone. «I wish her well in her next steps,» said the premier, who pledged to work with the Scottish authorities to improve the lives of the public.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May also highlighted Sturgeon’s «long and tireless service» and described as «professional» the relations maintained during the time they both coincided in the front line, in which they disagreed «on many issues».
Labour considers Sturgeon a «capable politician», regardless of «differences», in the words of the party’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar. In this sense, he has recognized that the nationalist leader has governed during «some of the most complicated moments» of recent history, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Sarwar also took the opportunity to call for change in Scotland, which he considers more necessary than ever. «It is clear that Scotland needs new ideas and new passions,» he stressed in a statement, in a more electoral key and with the legislative elections already on the horizon.
Messages of support for Sturgeon have also been received in Wales, where the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, has stressed that leaders like her only come «once in a generation»; and in Northern Ireland, where the vice-president of Sinn Féin, Michelle O’Neill, has emphasized the role of the nationalist leader in favor of independence or against Brexit.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
