SNP’s Angus Robertson steps down as deputy leader
Nats’ heavyweight Robertson quits frontline politics
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday kept the door open for Angus Robertson after he stood down as the SNP’s deputy leader.
The First Minister said she hoped he would return to frontline politics after he announced his decision to quit eight months after losing his seat in the snap General Election.
The former Nationalist leader in the House of Commons was credited with making his group the “unofficial opposition” between 2015 and 2017 as Labour descended into infighting up until its surprise resurgence in the polls last year.
As such, he was one of the SNP’s most high-profile losses in last June’s vote, when he was ousted from the Moray seat he had held since 2001.
Mr Robertson said he was stepping down with immediate effect to pursue “new career opportunities”.
In a letter to the First Minister, he said: “I believe I am no longer able to fully discharge my mandate, which was to partner you as Westminster SNP leader.
“While it would be my greatest privilege to continue as depute leader, I know you understand I have to focus now on pursuing new career opportunities.”
Ms Sturgeon replied: “I wish you well in those endeavours, but I hope that we may see you return to frontline politics in future.”
A contest will now take place to decide the next deputy leader.
Nationalist sources suggested that Ian Blackford, who succeeded Mr Robertson as the SNP leader in the Commons, should take on the role as part of a “coronation”.
Others, however, fear that a contest could lead to splits between people who joined in the wake of the 2014 independence referendum and want a rerun as quickly as possible and longer-term membe r s focused on governing at
Holyrood.