Nicola Sturgeon on her time as First Minster, Alex Salmond, and her sexuality | BBC Newscast

Key Concepts

• Nicola Sturgeon's autobiography "Frankly"
• Her tenure as First Minister of Scotland (8 years)
• Brexit and its impact on Scotland
• COVID-19 pandemic and the Scottish government's response
• Breakdown of relationship with Alex Salmond
• Gender Recognition Reform Bill controversy
• Personal reflections on leadership, mistakes, and public life
• The impact of social media and polarization on politics
• Future aspirations and potential career paths

Nicola Sturgeon's Autobiography "Frankly" and Early Political Ambitions

Sturgeon discusses her new autobiography, "Frankly," which covers her eight years as First Minister of Scotland. She expresses that writing a book was a long-standing ambition. While she'd "love love love to think I had a novel in me," she acknowledges the skill required and isn't sure if she's capable. She wrote the book over two years, primarily in the mornings on a laptop, and enjoyed the editing process. The first draft was significantly longer, but she managed to condense it. She aimed for openness and candor, acknowledging mistakes made during her career. The book covers her whole life and 30 years of her political career, which meant some parts are at a higher level than she originally anticipated. She fondly recalls her early days "chapping doors" (door-knocking) in Glasgow.

Key Mistakes and Controversies

Sturgeon admits to two major misjudgments during her time as First Minister:

1. Handling of Gender Self-ID: She acknowledges that she should have paused the Gender Recognition Reform Bill when it became clear how controversial it was. She reflects that the initial cross-party consensus in 2016 "blinded me to the concerns that may start to emerge and I possibly didn't engage enough in the substance of those concerns to try to allay them." She wishes she had taken a step back to reconcile the rights of women with the desire to allow trans people to live with dignity.
2. Misjudging the Mood After Brexit: She admits to misjudging the mood of the Scottish people after Brexit regarding another independence referendum. She assumed that those who voted against Brexit would quickly support independence. She didn't fully appreciate the sense of chaos and uncertainty after Brexit, and some people viewed her push for another referendum as an attempt to "weaponize Brexit" for partisan purposes.

Despite these missteps, she stands by the fundamental decisions she took.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Leadership

Sturgeon reflects on her experience leading Scotland through the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes the emotional toll of the COVID inquiry, where she felt that the "worst caricatures of myself" were being presented. She emphasizes that she "did my best every single day" during the pandemic. She recalls breaking down in tears during the inquiry, feeling close to the edge and losing her sense of perspective. This led her to seek counseling for the first time in her life.

She also shares details about her daily routine during the pandemic, including receiving homemade soup from Jean Freeman's partner (Scottish health secretary at the time). She found the daily briefings to be crucial for her leadership, as they forced her to stay informed and allowed her to communicate openly with the public. She acknowledges the long-term impacts of the pandemic, particularly on young people. When asked about the possibility of a "ruined generation" due to school closures, she acknowledges the responsibility she feels for the decisions made during that time.

The Alex Salmond Relationship and its Breakdown

The breakdown of Sturgeon's relationship with Alex Salmond is a significant theme in the book. She acknowledges that Salmond was a big figure in her life and that they were once close. However, she admits that the book is "pretty negative about him" and that the memories of the more difficult times are stronger in her mind. She describes the grief she experienced when their friendship ended, feeling a sense of disorientation and loss. She recalls vivid dreams where they were back as they once were. She also mentions Salmond's death and how it brought back those feelings of grief and sadness.

She recounts a specific incident where she called Salmond for advice on a second independence referendum, and he simply quoted a poem about being brave, which she found unhelpful. She also mentions Salmond's tendency to leave the "heavy lifting" on certain issues to her.

Personal Reflections and Challenges

Sturgeon discusses her introversion and how it sometimes led to criticism that she didn't involve enough people in decision-making. She explains that she always believed the "buck stopped with me" and that she wanted to be comfortable with the decisions she was taking. She also points out that some qualities that are seen as strengths in men are often viewed as character flaws in women.

She candidly discusses her experience with the menopause while running the country, particularly the fear of forgetting words during First Minister's Questions. She also shares her conflicted emotions surrounding her miscarriage, including the fear that she didn't want the pregnancy enough.

She recounts an incident of bullying early in her career, where another MSP spread a rumor about her. She didn't realize at the time that it was a case of bullying.

Sexuality and Privacy

Sturgeon addresses rumors about her sexuality, stating that she has had "long-term relationships with men" but that she has "never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary." She emphasizes that she is not making a big revelation or sticking a label on herself, but simply expressing how she sees life. She also expresses a desire to "redraw the boundaries" of her public and private selves, reclaiming a bit of privacy.

Future Aspirations and Potential Career Paths

Sturgeon discusses her future aspirations, stating that she will no longer be an elected politician and doesn't see herself fighting an election again. However, she still cares passionately about the world and the issues that have been close to her heart. She is considering how she can continue to influence things in the future, but hasn't decided what form that will take. She also mentions the possibility of living abroad for a period to reset her perspective.

The Challenges of Leadership in the Modern World

Sturgeon expresses concern about the state of democracy and discourse, worrying that it is becoming harder to attract good people into politics. She believes that the speed of news, the pressure to decide things instantaneously, and the abuse hurled at politicians are making it more difficult to govern. She also touches on the difficulty of drawing lines between personal and professional life.

Notable Quotes

• "I did my best in co and like leaders everywhere I didn't get everything right. Um but I absolutely and I can hand on heart say this. I did my best every single day."
• "I've never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary."
• "I just want to move it a bit and reclaim for myself a bit of a private life where I don't have to answer questions about what I'm getting up to in my personal life all the time."

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Gender Recognition Reform Bill: Legislation aimed at simplifying the process for transgender people to obtain legal gender recognition.
• First Minister's Questions: A weekly session in the Scottish Parliament where the First Minister answers questions from MSPs.
• Brexit: The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
• MSP: Member of the Scottish Parliament.
• SNP: Scottish National Party.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The interview with Nicola Sturgeon provides a comprehensive overview of her autobiography "Frankly," delving into her tenure as First Minister of Scotland, the challenges she faced, and her personal reflections on leadership, mistakes, and public life. She candidly discusses controversial issues like the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the breakdown of her relationship with Alex Salmond. She also shares personal experiences, including her struggles with the menopause and her miscarriage. Sturgeon expresses concern about the state of democracy and the difficulties of attracting good people into politics. The interview offers valuable insights into the complexities of leadership in the modern world and the personal toll it can take.