London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Calls for SNP to delay independence summit after Sturgeon resignation

Calls for SNP to delay independence summit after Sturgeon resignation

The timing of a SNP independence summit has been thrown into doubt after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as first minister.

The party leader confirmed on Wednesday that she would step down after more than eight years in the role.

The SNP had scheduled a conference for 19 March to discuss a strategy to gain independence.

But some high-profile figures in the party now say the event should be postponed while a successor is chosen.

The SNP's national executive committee is meeting online at 18:30 on Thursday to discuss the timing for a leadership contest.

The national executive will also have to decide on whether to go ahead with the March summit.

The conference was announced by the first minister in December following the decision of the UK Supreme Court that Holyrood could not legislate for another referendum, with Ms Sturgeon saying she would back using the next general election as a de facto referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon made her announcement at a news conference at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh

SNP MP Stephen Flynn, who replaced Ms Sturgeon's close ally Ian Blackford as the party's Westminster leader in December, called for it to be delayed.

"In my view, that conference should be paused," he told the BBC.

"We should allow our new leader the opportunity and the space to set out their vision and their priorities domestically but also give them the space to chart their course when it comes to that pathway to independence."

SNP MP Stewart McDonald, who criticised Ms Sturgeon's plan to use the next general election as a de facto referendum on independence, also suggested the conference should be pushed back.

He said the leadership contest should take about six weeks, meaning it would not finish until after the scheduled date of the conference on March 19.

"I hope the NEC agrees a timetable that ensures a comprehensive debate - we should not rush," he tweeted.

The Glasgow South MP added the summit could then "become a national hustings and departing speech" from Ms Sturgeon.

Former SNP minister Ash Regan, who quit over the government's plans to reform gender recognition rules, also backed the idea of moving the conference, as well as calling for all members who left the party in the last year to be allowed to re-join and vote in the leadership contest.

SNP president Michael Russell has suggested the summit may have to be postponed


SNP president Mr Russell, speaking to BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, said they may need to delay the event until a new leader has been selected, suggesting it was "unlikely" the race would be over by then.

"Therefore there is a question to be asked about whether that should be postponed while a leader comes into place," he said.

He added: "I think that's a matter that needs to be discussed."

Ms Sturgeon, who announced her decision to quit at a surprise news conference at Bute House in Edinburgh on Wednesday, will remain in post until a replacement is appointed.

She also intends to remain as an MSP until at least the next Holyrood election.

Mr Russell said he expected that process to be "shortened" and for there to be a "contested election".


'Choppy waters'


Though there is no obvious candidate to succeed the outgoing first minister, potential candidates include: External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Stephen Flynn previously ruled himself out of contention for the role, adding that the next head of the SNP would come from the Holyrood group.

Ms Sturgeon's resignation follows a series of political challenges in recent months as her government sought to pass new laws on gender reforms, only for them to be blocked by Westminster.

She insisted the row surrounding a transgender double rapist being sent to a women's jail "wasn't the final straw", but said it is "time for someone else" to lead the party.

Ms Sturgeon acknowledged the "choppy waters", but insisted her resignation was not in response to the "latest period of pressure".

"This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment," she said.

"In my head and in my heart I know that time is now. That it's right for me, for my party and my country."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×