In a move set to dominate political discourse, former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is poised to break her long-held silence with a deeply personal and controversial memoir. The book, titled 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky', promises an unflinching account of her tumultuous time in power, addressing the most defining and divisive moments of her career.
The Pandemic: A Defence of Her Leadership
Sturgeon is expected to mount a robust defence of her government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The memoir will detail the immense pressure and scrutiny she faced, arguing that her administration's approach was consistently guided by public health advice rather than political expediency. This comes amid ongoing public inquiries examining the decisions made by governments across the UK during the pandemic.
The Alex Salmond Rift: A Relationship Shattered
Perhaps the most anticipated revelations concern her complete and very public breakdown with former mentor and predecessor, Alex Salmond. The memoir will delve into the profound personal and political betrayal she felt during the internal SNP investigation into harassment complaints against him and the subsequent criminal trial, which ended with Salmond's acquittal.
This bitter feud, which threatened to tear the SNP apart, is laid bare, offering her perspective on one of the most damaging chapters in modern Scottish political history.
The Stalled Dream of Independence
On the defining mission of her political life—Scottish independence—Sturgeon will confront the setbacks and challenges that ultimately stalled the movement. She is expected to reflect on the strategic hurdles posed by Westminster's refusal to grant a second referendum and the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling against her government's authority to hold one unilaterally.
The book will likely address criticisms of her government's strategy and outline her views on the path forward for the independence cause without her at the helm.
A Legacy Under Scrutiny
Beyond these key issues, the memoir will also touch on other contentious policies, including the highly criticised deposit return scheme and the challenges of the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. The publication is timed to capitalise on intense public and media interest, ensuring its contents will be debated from Holyrood to Westminster.
With advance copies already being scrutinised, Sturgeon's account is certain to reshape the narrative of her premiership, offering supporters justification and critics fresh ammunition. The political fallout from her revelations will be felt for months to come.
