Sturgeon’s tearful exit throws push for Scottish independence into doubt

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( February 16, 2023 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Nicola Sturgeon’s tearful exit throws push for Scottish independence into doubt]( [Nicola Sturgeon](’s shock resignation as first minister has raised doubts about the future of [Scottish independence]( – with opposition parties declaring the [SNP](’s cause “dead”. The SNP leader announced she was [stepping down at a press conference on Wednesday](, lamenting the “brutal” nature of politics and saying she knew “in my head and in my heart” that it was the right time to step down. Ms Sturgeon has come under fire for saying that her party would fight the next general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence – an issue she said the SNP was now “free” to decide how to pursue following her exit. But [Labour]( figures claimed her resignation would give their party an opportunity to win back as many as 20 seats in [Scotland](, where Labour was almost wiped out just eight years ago, and boost Sir [Keir Starmer](’s chance of a majority at the 2024 general election.   2 / [Missing Nicola Bulley has had ‘issues with alcohol’ police reveal three weeks into search]( Police previously called out to incident at family home in January weeks before disappearance, detectives have also revealed 3 /[Workers could be denied sick notes in bid to boost economy]( Government concerned by rise in long-term sickness since pandemic 4 / [Hollywood icon Raquel Welch dies aged 82]( ‘Fantastic Voyage’ and ‘One Million Years BC’ star’s career spanned over 50 years 5 /[Man City beat Arsenal to go top in Premier League title fight]( Arsenal 1-3 Man City: De Bruyne, Grealish and Haaland net to send Pep Guardiola’s champions top     The Big Question What does Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation mean for Scottish independence? [Nicola Sturgeon]( wants to [leave the stage]( before the failure of her leadership becomes too obvious. As one of the most able politicians in the UK, she will have recognised that her push for independence has failed. It turned out that, when the Supreme Court ruled that she needed the agreement of the UK government to hold another referendum, she didn’t have a back-up plan, writes John Rentoul. Her plan B was to treat the next general election in Scotland as a referendum, and declare that the people had voted for independence if the parties supporting it won more than 50 per cent of the vote. There are two problems with this plan. One is that the Scottish National Party, the Greens, and Alba (her predecessor Alex Salmond’s party) [might not win 50 per cent](. The second, more fundamental issue, is that a win for independence parties would not change the constitutional position. Independence could still come about only if the UK parliament agreed to it, and the overwhelming majority of the House of Commons takes the view that now is not the time. No wonder, then, that Sturgeon’s device of pretending that an election was a referendum was unpopular. What was striking about [Lord Ashcroft’s poll of Scotland]( published yesterday was that, even among [SNP]( supporters, more were opposed to the policy than supported it. [For the full story click here >](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](. Watch/ [Thugs live-stream moment they ram police car off motorway with stolen van](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 20% – McDonald’s is set to hike the price of five items from Wednesday as [inflation]( eats into the fast food chain’s running costs. The cost of its mayo chicken and double cheeseburgers will go up by 20 per cent, from 99p to £1.19 and £2.49 £2.69 respectively. [Read more here](   QUOTE OF THE DAY “I believe I have led this country closer to independence ... I believe that my successor – whoever he or she may be – will lead Scotland to independence, and I’ll be there cheering him or her on every step of the way.” – [Nicola Sturgeon](’s shock resignation as first minister has raised doubts about the future of [Scottish independence]( – with opposition parties declaring the [SNP](’s cause “dead”. [Read more here]( Turkey and Syria earthquake appeal £33,793 – The Independent is appealing for help in [raising urgently needed funds]( following the deadliest earthquake to hit [Turkey]( and [Syria]( in almost a century. We will update the running total here each day. [Read more here]( [Donate here](     Other stories you might like   [Russia general who led crackdown on dissent ‘kills himself’ after being fired by Putin](   [Starmer has closed one of the sorriest chapters in Labour’s history of antisemitism](   [Watch never-before-seen footage of first dive to Titanic wreck after 1985 discovery](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers Sean O'Grady - [Could a new Brexit deal really end the Northern Ireland protocol saga?](   Other newsletters you might like [The Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Sign up]( [Inside Politics] Inside Politics Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Matt Mathers [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. 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