Sturgeon plans to quit

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said Wednesday that she plans to step down after more than eight years in office, amid criticism of her drive to expand transgender rights and her strategy for achieving independence fromthe United Kingdom.

Sturgeon made the surprise announcement during a news conference at her official residence in Edinburgh, Bute House, saying the decision wasn’t a response to the “latest period of pressure.” But she added that part of serving well was knowing when to make way for someone else.

“In my head and in my heart I know that time is now,” she said. “That it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”

Sturgeon, 52, has led Scotland since 2014, when Scots narrowly voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. While the referendum was billed as a once-in- a- generation decision on independence, Sturgeon and her Scottish National Party have pushed for a new vote, arguing that Britain’s departure from the European Union had changed the ground rules.

The U. K. government has refused to allow a second referendum.

The first female leader of Scotland’s devolved government, Sturgeon won praise for her calm, measured public communications during the pandemic — a contrast to the erraticmessaging of thenU.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She led her party to dominance in Scottish politics but leaves office with the goal of her political life — independence — unfulfilled.

Sturgeon said she planned to remain in office until the SNP elects a new leader. Scotland is part of the U.K. but, like Wales and Northern Ireland, has its own semiautonomous government with broad powers over areas including health care.

Sturgeon’s announcement caught political observers by surprise amid her staunch support for independence and legislation that would make it easier for people in Scotland to legally change genders.

Just two weeks ago she scoffed at resignation rumors, saying she still had “plenty in the tank.”