Page 5 - aruba-today-20230216

A5
WORLD NEWS Thursday 16 February 2023
Scottish leader Sturgeon quits with

independence goal unmet

By DANICA KIRKA
Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — Scottish
leader Nicola Sturgeon said
Wednesday that she plans
to step down after more
than eight years in office,
amid criticism of her drive
to expand transgender
rights and her strategy for
achieving independence
from the United Kingdom.
Sturgeon made the surprise
announcement during a
news conference at her
official residence in Edin-
burgh, Bute House, saying
the decision wasn’t a re-
sponse to the “latest period
of pressure.” But she added
that part of serving well was
knowing when to make
way for someone else. Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, Wednesday, Feb.
“In my head and in my 15 2023.
heart I know that time is Associated Press
now,” she said. “That it’s staunch support for both it was time step down for ment by quitting the SNP to
right for me, for my party independence and legis- weeks. She said she wasn’t form a rival party, Alba.
and my country.” lation that would make it resigning because of re- For the past few months,
Sturgeon, 52, has led Scot- easier for people in Scot- cent criticism, though she much of Sturgeon’s en-
land since 2014, when Scots land to legally change acknowledged that the ergy has been focused on
narrowly voted to remain genders. Just two weeks “physical and mental im- a renewed drive for inde-
part of the United Kingdom. ago she scoffed at resigna- pact” of the job had taken pendence and the gen-
While the referendum was tion rumors, saying she still their toll. der recognition bill, which
billed as a once-in-a-gen- had “plenty in the tank.” Sturgeon led Scotland would allow people aged
eration decision on inde- “This is as sudden as Jacin- through the coronavirus 16 or older in Scotland to
pendence, Sturgeon and da Ardern … Geez,” tweet- pandemic and guided change the gender desig-
her Scottish National Party ed SNP lawmaker Angus her party during three U.K.- nations on identity docu-
have pushed for a new MacNeil, referring to the wide elections and two ments by self-declaration,
vote, arguing that Britain’s resignation last month Scottish elections. removing the need for a
departure from the Euro- of New Zealand’s prime “If the question is, can I medical diagnosis of gen-
pean Union had changed minister. Sturgeon came battle on for another few der dysphoria.
the ground rules. under pressure in recent months, then the answer is Hailed as a landmark by
The first female leader of weeks after she pushed yes, of course I can,” she transgender rights activists,
Scotland’s devolved gov- the gender recognition bill said. “But if the question the legislation faced oppo-
ernment, Sturgeon won through the Scottish parlia- is, can I give this job ev- sition from some SNP mem-
praise for her calm, mea- ment over the objections of erything it demands and bers who said it ignored the
sured public communica- some members of her own deserves for another year, need to protect single-sex
tions during the pandemic party. That raised concerns let alone for the remainder spaces for women, such as

a contrast to the erratic that Sturgeon’s position on of this parliamentary term, domestic violence shelters
messaging of then-U.K. transgender rights could give it every ounce of ener- and rape crisis centers. Crit-
Prime Minister Boris John- undermine support for in- gy that it needs in the way icism of the bill increased
son. dependence, the SNP’s that I have strived to do after reports that a convict-
She led her party to domi- overarching goal. every day for the last eight ed rapist was being held in
nance in Scottish politics Joanna Cherry, an SNP years, the answer honestly a women’s prison in Scot-
but leaves office with the member of Parliament who is different.” land while transitioning.
goal of her political life in- opposes the new gender Sturgeon weathered a pe- The inmate was transferred
dependence unfulfilled. law, said the resignation riod of scandal after her to a men’s prison after be-
Sturgeon said she planned provided an opportunity predecessor and former ing assessed by prison au-
to remain in office until the for the party. mentor Alex Salmond was thorities.
SNP elects a new leader. “We must restore the SNP’s tried and acquitted in 2020 While the Scottish parlia-
Scotland is part of the U.K. tradition of internal party on charges of sexual as- ment approved the legis-
but, like Wales and North- democracy, open respect- sault and attempted rape. lation, it has been blocked
ern Ireland, has its own ful debate and intellectual A parliamentary investiga- by the British government
semi-autonomous govern- rigour and we must also put tion found that Sturgeon because it would present
ment with broad powers the welfare of everyone liv- had misled lawmakers problems for authorities
over areas including health ing in Scotland back at the about what she knew, in other parts of the U.K.,
care. heart of our endeavours,” though she was cleared of where a medical diagnosis
Sturgeon’s announcement Cherry said on Twitter. major wrongdoing. In 2021 is needed before individu-
caught political observ- Sturgeon said she had been Salmond opened a rift in als can transition for legal
ers by surprise amid her “wrestling” with whether the independence move- purposes. q