I KNOW many in the SNP will, like me, be hurting. Nicola Sturgeon was the best leader we ever had and it will take time for the party and movement to recover.

But it is now time for the next generation to pick up the baton.

The desire to have a country of our own is bigger than any one person. It is an idea that has tugged at the gut of Scotland’s people for centuries. It remains an unresolved conflict that eats away at the nation’s soul. It will never heal until it is resolved – and until it is resolved, the next generation will always continue the fight.

In her resignation speech, Nicola talked about giving “tough love” to her party. Having reflected on those words, I feel she couldn’t be more on point.

The SNP’s success over recent years has been staggering – election victory after election victory with no end in sight.

Unfortunately, with that success has come a level of complacency. I have attended branch and Yes meetings in various cities and towns across Scotland and it won’t surprise anyone in the SNP to hear me say that our movement is lacking in young people and in some instances dominated by mediocre people who have been promoted beyond their talents.

To me, that tough love for the party is about saying that our success as a movement cannot be built on the talents of one or two individuals. It is now time for the old guard to take a long hard look at themselves and consider whether they are the right people to be leading this Yes movement going forward.

My own view is that we need young people to come into the party, and the only way we do that is by electing a young and vibrant leader to lead us. I am therefore pleading with young people reading this to get involved by joining the party and bringing some fresh energy, impetus and ideas to our movement.

We need you. This is not only the end of an era but the beginning of a new one for the Yes movement.

For those already involved, we must redouble our efforts. We must ensure we are actually progressing as activists, learning new things, trying out different strategies in our discussions, and gaining a fuller understanding of the issues and the complex tapestry of this country’s history.

Let’s ensure we do not rush to elect a new leader who is not right for leading this next stage of the journey.

And for people who care but are not quite convinced that politics is for them, please try to do what you can. It is only through our actions as individuals – as part of a collective – that we can push this over the line.

If Nicola’s legacy is anything, it is that one person can make a difference. I would encourage everyone to consider whether they can make that difference through their own actions going forward.

Ewan Ritchie

Haddington

SO the First Minister is going. It had to happen one day but even the vile Unionist press were outflanked by her out-of-the-blue decision to resign.

A day for the haters to relish and by God did they. BBC, ITV and Sky – your so-called unbiased reporters were frothing at their rabid mouths. They didn’t even have the decency to let her resign in peace. Glenn Campbell and James Cook should hang their heads in shame.

Yes, hard questions should be asked but they’ve been asked a thousand times before and Nicola Sturgeon’s answers won’t change because she was standing down.

No one, and I really mean no one, has led Scotland and her party like Nicola Sturgeon, through thick and thin, controversies, Covid, gender rights, Alex Salmond, Westminster, the constant daily abuse and even death threats, she has stayed at the wheel and won EIGHT elections in a row. Through all the abuse she received, she remained above the flack to lead and lead she did.

An extraordinary woman in tartan stilettos captured a nation.

But let’s not be kidded, she wasn’t bulletproof and no doubt over the next few weeks, the Unionist press will dig deeper to find whatever they think has caused her demise. They won’t accept that she simply has “had enough”!

No human being could withstand that daily pressure forever. So the First Minister is off to relax a little, read a book and contemplate her future, which I can categorically assure you will be excellent. I personally thank you, Nicola, for your leadership. I honestly don’t know how you did it.

As for the Yes movement and independence? It’s a blow, there is no doubt, but it will continue to grow as it’s not one person, it’s a movement, an ideology.

No matter what the Unionist media is telling you, is NOT going away. As Flower of Scotland says, we WILL rise again.

Iain McEwan

Troon

LIKE many others, I was taken aback by Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation. For eight years, Nicola led the SNP with her commanding presence and with her customary fastidious intellectual attention to detail.

Unlike many so-called ministers and politicians at Westminster, she never gave a bad interview.

That’s because she had completely mastered her extensive brief. This unrelenting attention to detail must take its toll. Whoever takes over from her, and this should happen with some dispatch, will have to hit the ground running because the Unionists will try to make capital out of this situation.

My personal choice for the next leader of the SNP is Angus Robertson, if he is interested in the job. He has many of the same qualities as Nicola. He led the SNP bloc at Westminster with a great authoritative presence and gravitas.

One thing is for sure, Nicola Sturgeon will be a hard act to follow.

Sandy Gordon

Edinburgh

BY getting on with the day job as well as pursuing independence, Nicola Sturgeon has proved that Scotland governed by Scots can be a better place for people to live than Scotland governed by Westminster. That is her legacy to the sovereign people of Scotland.

John Jamieson

South Queensferry