NICOLA Sturgeon said she is enjoying a new perspective since resigning as first minister and is indulging a “new-found love”.
The Glasgow Southside MSP resigned from the top government post unexpectedly in March.
Writing in the Glasgow Times, the now backbench SNP MSP, speaks about getting used to life after 16 years of round-the-clock pressure.
Sturgeon said she is focusing on constituency issues and topics close to her, including care-experienced children and young adults.
She said she has faced a “period of adaptation” from high-pressure decision making to having more of a personal life again after 16 years in government, including eight as First Minister, Scotland’s longest serving.
Writing her first column for the Glasgow Times as a backbench MSP, Sturgeon said: “I am enjoying the new perspective and different focus that comes with no longer being First Minister.
“Of course, over the past few weeks, I have also enjoyed having slightly more time for a personal life.
"Being First Minister was a huge privilege and a job I enjoyed immensely, but the pressures and time demands that come with the role inevitably meant that I too often neglected family and friends and missed out on many special events and celebrations.
“I am trying now to make up for that, and it has been a joy to catch up properly with some of those closest to me.
“I am looking forward to doing more of that in the months to come - and also to indulge in my new-found love of hillwalking.”
She refers to the investigation into the SNP finances as “unexpected and unwelcome” developments, adding she is “not able to expand upon” them but acknowledges they “have made this period even more challenging”.
Nicola Sturgeon writes every second Wednesday in the Glasgow Times.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel