Sturgeon promises ‘humility’ on new independence referendum
NICOLA Sturgeon has promised not to “bludgeon” a divided Scotland into backing independence after being re-elected as First Minister by MSPS.
She told Holyrood the recent election had given her a “clear mandate” for another referendum within five years, but said she would advance it “with responsibility, humility and only when the crisis of Covid has passed”.
She said: “I am acutely aware that opinion on whether or not Scotland should be independent is evenly balanced. My decisions as a First Minister for all of Scotland will always be mindful of that.”
The SNP leader spoke after becoming the parliament’s choice for First Minister following symbolic challenges from two other party leaders.
She won after a single round of voting after beating Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie and the Scottish Conservatives’ Douglas Ross.
She received 64 votes compared to four for Mr Rennie and 31 for Mr Ross, with Labour and the Greens abstaining.
She will be formally sworn in as First Minister by Scotland’s most senior judges at the Court of Session today.
Ms Sturgeon said it was a privilege to be chosen for a third time since 2014 and thanked her family for their love and support through the pandemic.
In her pitch to MSPS ahead of voting, she said she said wanted to “kickstart recovery” from the Covid pandemic, pledging “a programme with the NHS, the economy and jobs at its heart”.
After winning, she promised to lead a “government of action”, and said its first 100 days would see the Covid vaccine rollout completed, an NHS recovery plan, and a consultation on a National Care Service.
Ms Sturgeon has said her goal is Indyref2 by 2024, Covid permitting, with independence following in 2026.
However, Boris Johnson has so far refused to transfer referendum powers to Holyrood, saying “now is not the time”, and that the focus should be on the economic recovery.
With the SNP and Greens winning 72 of Holyrood’s 129 seats, Ms
Sturgeon said: “By any measure of parliamentary democracy there is a clear mandate for a referendum within this term of parliament. It is important in the interests of democracy for that to be acknowledged and respected.
“But it is also important that I exercise that mandate with responsibility, humility and only when the crisis of Covid has passed.
“I give that commitment today. “With independence the decisions that shape our future will lie with us.
“But I have always believed that how we achieve independence is as important as the outcome itself. It will determine the strength and the foundation on which we build.
“The views of those who do not support independence must not be ignored. You mustn’t feel as if you are being bludgeoned towards an outcome you have not been persuaded of.
“But the views of those who do support independence can’t be ignored either. We can’t simply be told there is no democratic route to seeking the future we want for our country.”
Mr Ross praised Ms Sturgeon as
“sincerely committed to the job” but urged her not to be “spend the next five years mired in the same stale debates and disagreements that consumed and held back the last parliament”.
He said the Tories would support her if the Government applied itself 100% to recovery from the pandemic, “but if they deviate from that task, if they put political priorities ahead of Scotland’s interests, if they waste time in this chamber on old arguments instead of constructive delivery, then we will fight them every step of the way”.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “We need a First Minister for everyone in Scotland, not a campaigner leading a movement for half the country,” adding:“the national recovery can’t just be a slogan.” In her first speech at Holyrood, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater urged Ms Sturgeon to work with a diverse parliament to tackle the Covid covery and the climate emergency.
“I have hope,” she said.
Mr Rennie urged Ms Sturgeon not to appoint a new cabinet secretary for the constitution in her reshuffle, and to focus on the recovery instead.
“There should be no place in this new government for a minister for the referendum. We cannot afford talented civil servants to be focused on a new independence white paper, when we need the best focused on the recovery.”
The last holder of the post, Michael Russell, stepped down at the election.
I am acutely aware that opinion on independence is evenly balanced