In today’s latest BNN World News, Facing controversy over plans to expand transgender rights and receding support, Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to step down as the first minister of Scotland. Nicola said she will stay on the sidelines to protect the nation after spending the last eight years working to strengthen the Scottish Parliament. Scotland has powers on local matters such as education and health. However, the UK parliament has rights over national ones like diplomacy or defense.
Sets off the race for leadership
Nicola said she has less energy to fulfill her duties as the first minister. In a news conference on Wednesday in Edinburgh, she said it is time for her to resign as the first minister and that it is the right decision for her country and party. Her resignation has set the stage for a race for leadership roles within the NCP and to pursue the target of maintaining independence.
With no clear successor in sight, Nicola Sturgeon, 52, expects to continue as leader of the Scottish government. Unless NCP finds a suitable person and puts its weight behind her, the departure of Nicola is a setback for the cause of the nation’s independence.
Nicola took charge as head of the SNP after Alex Salmond, the former leader, resigned the post following a defeat in a referendum held for the independence of Scotland in 2014. The UK voted to stay away from the EU in 2016. However, Nicola requested a second referendum, saying that the majority of people in Scotland intend to stay within the EU.
The UK Supreme Court said in November 2022 that the Scottish Parliament has no authority to call for a second referendum. It further observed that the UK has the right to decide as a whole. Political analysts in Scotland say the SNP may not be able to organize a second referendum anytime soon.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict, Nicola decided to use the next general election in the UK as a de facto referendum on Scotland’s independence. It means a win for the like-minded people in the party in Scotland to seek an exit from the United Kingdom. However, some people in the party felt that it would drive away the voters and cost them their seats. Therefore, divisions in the party and controversy surrounding transgender rights led Nicola to take the extreme decision to resign.
A Businessman in the UK loses 50 Relatives In the Earthquake Tragedy In Turkey
In today’s latest breaking news, Ali Tekce, a businessman based in the United Kingdom, has reportedly lost 50 relatives in an earthquake that recently struck Turkey. Those who perished in the earthquake in Turkey include his cousin’s entire family. Ali said he will keep going to support the relatives living in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
Wang Yi Begins A Weeklong Visit to Europe to Heal Fraying Relations Amid Tensions with the U.S
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