As Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has had to navigate the country through some of the most tumultuous times in recent history. From dealing with COVID-19 and its devastating impact on the nation, to navigating Brexit negotiations and trying to secure a second independence referendum, her plate is full indeed. In this blog post, we take a closer look at Sturgeon’s tough agenda as she leads Scotland into an uncertain future.

What is Nicola Sturgeon’s Political Agenda?

Nicola Sturgeon has been Scotland’s First Minister since October 2014. In that time, she has shown herself to be a very determined politician, with a tough agenda.

Her main focus so far has been on the issue of independence. In 2016, she led a successful campaign for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. Since then, she has focused on her role as First Minister and on building up the political case for Scottish independence.

She has argued that Scotland is an independent country which should have its own set of policies and priorities. She says that Scotland’s economy is stronger than the UK’s and that it would be better off as an independent country.

However, independence is not her only agenda. She also wants to improve the living standards of Scots and to reduce inequality between different parts of society. She has advocated for more investment in education and for measures to combat poverty and inequality.

The Growth of the Scottish National Party (SNP)

Since its formation in 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been a leading voice for Scotland’s interests in the United Kingdom. In recent years, the SNP has made significant progress in achieving its goals, most notably in securing independence for Scotland in 2014.

Now, as Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is responsible for implementing her party’s ambitious agenda. This includes plans to increase economic growth and improve education standards, as well as reduce poverty and inequality. In addition, she is committed to fighting for Scottish interests at the UK level, including advocating for continued membership of the European Union (EU) and opposing cuts to public services.

While the SNP faces some challenges – such as growingdivisions within its own ranks – it remains a powerful political force that is poised to continue making progress on its key priorities.

The Scottish Independence Referendum

The Scottish independence referendum will take place on September 18, 2014. Scotland has been an independent country for over 300 years, but the vote to become an independent nation was passed in a referendum in September 1997. The question on the ballot was “Should Scotland be an independent country?” The result was 55% in favor of independence and 45% opposed. In October 2014, Nicola Sturgeon was appointed as Scotland’s first minister, and she has made it her priority to hold a referendum on independence.

Sturgeon is a leader with a clear vision for Scotland and its future. She wants to keep Scotland within the European Union and SNP policy is firmly committed to keeping Scotland within the United Kingdom. Despite these commitments, Sturgeon is determined to give the Scots a chance to vote on their own future and she has stated that an Independent Scotland would maintain Sterling as its currency.

If Scotland votes yes in the referendum, Sturgeon has said that negotiations will commence immediately with England, Wales and Northern Ireland about their future within a reformed UK. If Scotland votes no, then Sturgeon plans to convene a new Scottish Parliament within three years and try again to win full independence for her country.

The Results of the Scottish Independence Referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has been Scotland’s first minister since May 2015. She is the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which won an election in 2015 with a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP campaign for independence from the United Kingdom, and many Scots voted in the referendum to remain part of the UK. But despite this, Sturgeon announced on 24 September that Scotland had voted for independence, with 55% of voters backing separation.

The SNP has long been a proponent of independence from London, and its victory in the 2015 election emboldened it to push for separation. The party argued that Scotland was not getting its fair share of public money and that Westminster was not listening to its concerns. However, some economists have said that there would be serious financial consequences if Scotland were to become independent, while others have said that the country would be more prosperous as an independent nation.

There are also political consequences to what happened in the referendum. The SNP dominates Scottish politics and is now firmly committed to pursuing independence, regardless of any potential fallout from Brexit. This could mean difficult talks with London over how Scotland should leave the EU, as well as potential tensions with other member states over its access to European Union funding and citizenship rights. Meanwhile, Labour—the main opposition party in Scotland—has lost a lot of support since campaigning for staying within the UK. It may find it harder to win back voters now that they know their leaders want them out of the UK altogether.

What changes will Nicola Sturgeon make as Scotland’s First Minister?

Since becoming Scotland’s First Minister in May 2014, Nicola Sturgeon has made a name for herself as a tough negotiator and leader. In her first months in office, she secured significant reforms to the country’s education system and welfare system. Her latest agenda focuses on the economy, with plans to create thousands of new jobs and invest more in sectors like renewable energy. Here are five changes that will be made under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership:

1. Local government reform: The Scottish Government is committed to reforming local government so that it is more accountable and efficient. This will include changing the way council tax is collected and developing a new model of shared services between councils and the Scottish Government.

2. Jobs and growth: The Scottish Government wants to create over 10,000 new jobs by 2021, while also investing in areas like renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

3. Tax reform: The Scottish Government is planning to introduce a new tax system which will make Scotland more competitive internationally. Additionally, it plans to raise billions of pounds through improved economic management policies.

4. Public sector reform: One of the key priorities for the Scottish Government is improving public sector efficiency and reducing the cost of government services for taxpayers. This includes reforms to pensions, healthcare, education and welfare systems.

5. Strengthening international links: Under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership, Scotland will become increasingly involved in global affairs – including increasing its contribution to NATO military operations and expanding its trade relationships with other countries around

Conclusion

Nicola Sturgeon’s first year as Scotland’s First Minister was marked by a series of difficult challenges. From COVID, the Scottish healthcare system, to Brexit, Scotland had to face head-on the problems that decades of Tory rule had created. But Sturgeon showed herself to be a tough negotiator and an effective leader, managing both crises with skill and diplomacy. Her agenda for the next year—including plans for a second independence referendum—is sure to be complex and controversial, but it is one that will define her time in office.