Frankly, p.44
Frankly, page 44
final debates, Q&As and polling on independence ref1
first female First Minister and Keeper of the Great Seal ref1
focus on education, health, child poverty and the care system ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
and fox-hunting issue ref1
and ‘Frenchgate’ ref1
gender recognition and trans rights ref1
gradually broadens her mind and horizons ref1
and the Granita moment ref1
influence of Thatcher on ref1, ref2
interactions with Cameron ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
interactions with Johnson ref1, ref2
interactions with May ref1, ref2
interactions with Truss and Sunak ref1
interviews leading fiction writers ref1
involvement in Lockerbie and al-Megrahi case ref1
joins the SNP ref1, ref2
Kosovo incident ref1
as leader of the opposition in Scottish Parliament ref1
lessons learned ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
and Maastricht Treaty ref1
media interviews, discussions and press conferences ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13, ref14, ref15, ref16
meets Hillary Clinton ref1
meets Jeremy Corbyn ref1
and membership of NATO ref1
oil industry, climate change and environmental policies ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
overseas diplomatic and trade trips ref1, ref2, ref3
playground spat with Cameron ref1
political ascendancy ref1
popularity and approval of ref1, ref2, ref3
and problem of EU member-ship ref1, ref2
reaction to sex allegations against Salmond ref1
realization that politics was the right choice ref1, ref2, ref3
relationship with Salmond ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
republican at heart ref1
resignation of ref1, ref2, ref3
and same sex marriage legislation ref1
and Scottish independence debates and first referendum ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
and Scottish Parliament elections ref1, ref2, ref3
and second independence referendum ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8
as Secretary for Health & Wellbeing ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5
and Section 28 concerning homosexuality ref1, ref2
selected as candidate for Govan ref1, ref2
setting up of the Cabinet and swearing-in ceremony ref1
single-mindedness and ambition concerning career ref1, ref2
speeches ref1, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
support for Scottish Parliament ref1, ref2
supports John Swinney as leader of SNP ref1
supports second EU referendum ref1
takes on infrastructure policy portfolio ref1
takes over as First Minister from Salmond ref1, ref2
trade and political visits to United States ref1, ref2
understands importance of telling a compelling story ref1
wins Glasgow Southside ref1
wins Govan at fourth time of trying ref1
wishes to amplify voices of those traditionally ignored ref1
youngest candidate at 1992 election ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
pregnancy and grief at miscarriage ref1
reflections on politics past, present and future ref1
reputation, perceptions and rumours concerning ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
separation from Murrell ref1
shyness, self-doubt, lack of confidence and stress ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13, ref14
Sturgeon, Robert ‘Robin’ (father) ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
STV channel ref1, ref2, ref3
Summers, Caroline ref1
Sun newspaper ref1, ref2, ref3
Sun on Sunday ref1
Sunak, Rishi ref1, ref2, ref3
Sunday Herald ref1
Sunday Mail ref1
swine flu (H1N1) outbreak (2009) ref1
Swinney, John ref1
agrees that minority government is best option ref1
answers the phone to Sturgeon in 1987 ref1
attempts to gain support for the budget ref1, ref2, ref3
and budget arguments concerning NHS funding ref1
and currency debate ref1
and death of the Queen ref1
as Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary ref1
drives through far-reaching reforms ref1
in first Cabinet ref1
leaked paper on finances ref1
offices held by ref1
relationship with Salmond ref1
relationship with Sturgeon ref1
and Scottish independence ref1, ref2
seen as safe pair of hands ref1
steps down as leader ref1, ref2
supported by Sturgeon in bid for leadership ref1, ref2, ref3
Taylor, Brian ref1
Telegraph, The ref1
Thatcher, Margaret ‘Maggie’ ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
Thewliss, Alison ref1
Thomson, Ken ref1, ref2
Thomson, Patsy ref1
Trainspotting (film) ref1
Trump, Donald ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Truss, Liz ref1
Ukraine ref1, ref2
Ullrich, Kay ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
UN Security Council 1325 Women in Conflict Fellowship ref1
Under 2 Coalition ref1
Urquhart, Jean ref1
Vale of Leven C-diff scandal (2008) ref1, ref2
Varadkar, Leo ref1
Wallace, Jim ref1
Watters, Davie ref1
Webster, Jamie ref1
Weir, Mike ref1
Whitford, Philippa ref1
Who Cares? Scotland ref1
William, Prince of Wales ref1, ref2
Wilson, Bill ref1
Wilson, Gordon ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Wilson, Lena ref1
Wishart, Peter ref1
Women in the World ref1
Wood, Leanne ref1, ref2, ref3
Woods, Dr Kevin ref1
Woodward, Shaun ref1
World Health Organization (WHO) ref1, ref2, ref3
Young Scottish Nationalists (YSN) ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5
Younger, George ref1
Yousaf, Humza ref1
Baby Nicola. I got up to a lot of mischief in that baby walker.
My first ‘official’ portrait.
With my mum and dad – rocking the 1970s look.
A proud day – I was the first member of my family to go to university. I graduated LLB (Hons) from the University of Glasgow in July 1992.
Just two months before my graduation I was the SNP candidate for Glasgow Shettleston in the 1992 General Election. The campaign coincided with my final exams, so I sacrificed any chance of a first-class degree, but the experience – as the youngest candidate in the UK at the time – was worth it.
By 1988, I was immersed in political campaigning and full of righteous anger. I wrote a long letter to my MP, urging Labour to stand more firmly against the poll tax. I had spent hours crafting it, so felt very disillusioned by the dismissiveness of the reply.
The Saturday after the Tories’ unexpected win in the 1992 election, a ‘Scotland United’ rally in Glasgow’s George Square sought to mobilize the campaign for a devolved Scottish Parliament. I was one of the speakers, and am pictured here with the lead singer of Hue & Cry, Pat Kane, and the then Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin, George Galloway. I am looking every bit the public introvert that I am – capable of making a speech to thousands, but shy and surly with those around me.
Launching our manifesto for the first election to the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 – although it was a difficult election for the SNP, and me personally, we emerged from it as the main opposition in a devolved parliament and no longer just a fringe party at Westminster.
Outside Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh with Alex Salmond, kick-starting our campaign for the 2005 UK General Election – the first electoral test for the Salmond–Sturgeon leadership team, chosen by the party a few months earlier.
With Alex Salmond, launching the SNP manifesto for the 2007 Holyrood election, in front of the central image of our campaign.
The SNP group on swearing-in day for MSPs after the 2007 Holyrood election, in which the SNP won power for the first time. Next to Alex is the now late Bashir Ahmad, Scotland’s first Asian MSP and a very dear friend of mine.
Being Health Secretary was a tough but brilliant job. I loved getting out and about, talking to the wonderful people who work in the NHS. This is me in 2007, learning about the work of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Attending the fortieth anniversary of the Ibrox Stadium disaster – a crush at an Old Firm game on 2 January 1971, which led to the loss of 66 lives and more than 200 injuries. It was a deeply moving occasion. However, what the rest of the world didn’t know – though it seems written on my face – is that when this photograph was taken, I was suffering a miscarriage.
The Scottish Cabinet on the steps of Bute House, fresh from winning a landslide victory in the 2011 Holyrood election. I had just been reappointed Scottish Health Secretary, a job I would continue to do until September 2012.
Alex Salmond and me launching ‘Scotland’s Future’, the independence White Paper. Getting it to print had been a tortuous process, but the launch was a success and it changed the dynamic of the referendum in favour of the Yes campaign.
Campaigning for a Yes vote in Bathgate. Over the course of the 2014 referendum campaign, I spoke at more than 200 public meetings in every corner of Scotland.
Campaigning for a Yes vote at Glasgow Central Mosque, highlighting a key principle of the independence campaign: that everyone who lives in Scotland, no matter where they come from, should have an equal say in the future of the country.
Addressing a mass rally at Perth Concert Hall on the eve of the independence referendum. I went home that night exhausted but exhilarated, and with hope in my heart. The next day, Scotland voted No to independence by 55% to 45% – a narrower margin than anyone would have predicted at the outset of the campaign. A day later, Alex Salmond resigned as First Minister.
The mood in Scotland post-referendum was electric. A speaking tour of Scotland to mark my election as SNP leader and First Minister – dubbed the ‘rockstar’ tour – culminated in a capacity crowd at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena, where I spoke on a stage that in previous weeks had hosted Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams, Prince, Beyoncé and Katy Perry.
Taking the oath of office in the Court of Session to become Scotland’s fifth – and first female – First Minister.
My first Cabinet on the steps of Bute House – at the time, one of only three gender-balanced Cabinets in the world.
The second of two leaders’ debates in the 2015 General Election, in which the SNP won 56 out of Scotland’s 59 constituencies. At the end of this one in London on 16 April, Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru, Natalie Bennett of the Greens and I hugged. It hadn’t been planned this way, but Ed Miliband ended up marooned. Nigel Farage had already stormed off in a huff.
Taking to the skies. Over the final weekend of the 2015 campaign, I travelled the length and breadth of Scotland in a helicopter. It’s not the most relaxing mode of travel, but I reached places I’d never have got to otherwise and was able to pack in lots of on-board interviews between stops.
During the 2015 campaign, the Daily Mail dubbed me ‘the most dangerous woman in Britain’ – possibly the nicest thing it has ever said about me. My team presented me with this souvenir.
At a campaign stop in Inverness on the final Saturday of the 2015 campaign – part of the helicopter tour. This image sums up my view of the campaign – everywhere I went I was surrounded by crowds of people, and often couldn’t move more than a few steps.
The 2015 exit poll predicting that the SNP would win 58 seats (in the event, we won 56). I was at home, holding my breath, when the image appeared on the screen at 10 p.m. I couldn’t believe it.
The 56. Our newly elected MPs in front of the iconic Forth railway bridge.
On the 2016 Scottish election campaign trail. This was my chance to win a mandate of my own as First Minister.
Launching Scotland’s ‘Baby Box’. The policies I am proudest of from my time as First Minister are those that help give children the best start in life.
Behind the scenes at Women in the World, New York, April 2017. Meeting Hillary Rodham Clinton, a woman I have long admired, was a highlight of the trip.
Adding my voice to the campaign for a second Brexit referendum at a mass rally in London on 22 March 2019.
Welcoming the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to Bute House on 29 July 2019, after the tawdry campaign to oust Theresa May had succeeded. Johnson was the third of five occupants of 10 Downing Street during my tenure as First Minister.
One of my early Covid briefings, accompanied by Chief Medical Officer, Catherine Calderwood (left), and Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman (right). I would do more than 200 of these over the course of the pandemic.
Leading Scotland through a global pandemic took its toll on me, mentally and physically, and occasionally it showed – such as here, during an update to the Scottish Parliament on 1 December 2020.
Light at the end of the tunnel – receiving my Covid vaccine. The rapid development of vaccines for Covid was the greatest scientific achievement of our generation.
An audience with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth at Holyrood Palace on 29 June 2021, the first time I had seen her in person since before Covid. Over the course of my tenure as First Minister, I spent hours of private time with this extraordinary woman. Our conversations ranged far and wide, and were always fascinating.
The ‘family’ photo at the British–Irish Council in Blackpool in November 2022. It was the first attended by a British Prime Minister since the days of Gordon Brown – although Rishi Sunak stayed only for dinner and left before the summit. It was my last as First Minister.
Meeting President Joe Biden at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Boris Johnson’s government had briefed the press in advance that one of their objectives for the summit was to stop me being pictured with the President.
Leaving Bute House for the last time on 28 March 2023, my 3,051st and final day as First Minister.
FRANKLY
‘How often has a working-class girl from Ayrshire risen to the highest office in Scotland and become a world leader who stood firmly for the dignity of her nation? Once, so far. Nicola is the first. She not only accompanied us through pivotal, decisive moments in British history, in many cases she was their proponent. In compelling, clear-eyed and self-critical prose, Frankly gives us a riveting, deeply human portrait of a woman coming into her power and reflecting on her battles, triumphs and defeats. Sturgeon’s voice is an essential account of our time and the collective fate of our nation. I was both enlightened and enthralled’
Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain
‘To have been in the room with the First Minister of Scotland during the crises of Brexit and Covid was to have witnessed, at first hand, a political leader at the height of her formidable powers. Now, in this highly personal account, you too can be alongside Nicola Sturgeon on her remarkable journey’
Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales
About the Author
Nicola Sturgeon served as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party from 2014 to 2023. She was Deputy First Minister from 2007 to 2014 and Scotland’s Health Secretary from 2007 to 2012. She has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament since its establishment in 1999.
First published 2025 by Macmillan
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Nicola Sturgeon, Frankly
