I am surprised that this seems to have taken many people by surprise.
SNP are at a crossroads. Their raison d'etre is at a very steep uphill road.
Iain Blackford was a close ally and was ousted from the Westminster Group. The "lady in waiting" in Scotland is Kate Forbes but she is a strict Christian and "a wee free" and has strong differing views on abortion, gay marriage etc. There is no obvious replacement for her which in one hand is scathing for the SNP, but on the other shows she carries the weight of the party at all times.
Westminster Govt have blocked another indie vote and there is no obvious method of obtaining one.
The rise of Labour in England means that they can no longer use independence as a vote winner to get away from the permanent Tory UK Govt ruling us.
Add in their coalition with the Greens and having to agree to some of their demands.
Sturgeon is not a "whats in it for me" leader, her background before politics was as a lawyer fighting for the rights of the underprivileged. She doesnt have too many airs and graces about her and actually lives not too far away from me on a modern housing estate.
She led the country through the pandemic and stood up daily to give updates whilst other leaders were having office parties! I do firmly believe she is the best leader in UK by far. Certainly much better than any recent incumbents in Westminster.
My choice to replace her would be Joanna Cherry but that won't happen. Her deputy, John Swinney must be a candidate but I would rather watch paint dry than listen to him. There is not any Scottish cabinet minister that I can see as being a suitable replacement and that is a scathing indictment on the succession planning of the party.
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