The unexpected resignation of Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon is a heavy loss for the Scottish independence movement. It is also one, by extension, for the Quebec sovereignty movement, which had in itself a solid ally in the defense of the right to self-determination of small nations and the promotion of a progressive posture.
The news is surprising since, as recently as January, she reacted to another surprise resignation, that of the young New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, saying to herself “full of energy” and “not at all very close” to when she would leave. She made quite different remarks in Edinburgh on Wednesday, saying she no longer had the strength to continue. And evoking, like Mme Ardern, the “brutality” of political life. She did not hide that the management of the pandemic had exhausted her. Although she denies it, a recent controversy surrounding the adoption of a controversial law facilitating gender change may have influenced her decision. Having been Prime Minister for eight years, and Deputy Prime Minister for the previous seven years, she mainly advanced the argument that she had become over time a “divisive figure” which prevented her from generating a majority of support for the independence project.
Dividing or not, this determined woman, formidable tactician who in London was called “the most dangerous woman in the United Kingdom”, leaves a great void. She remained the undisputed leader of Scottish politics, and her Scottish National Party (SNP) remains dominant in the polls. Who will take over?
She will have always been convinced — and still believes it possible — of being able to build a majority on the 45% Yes obtained in the 2014 referendum by relying, beyond identity issues, on the anti-Brexit and pro-Brexit horizon. European of the Scots. However, this solid majority still eludes the SNP, the polls show. Moreover, the impasse is complete for the SNP in the face of London’s categorical refusal to let it hold a new referendum. The challenge, said Wednesday Mme Sturgeon, “is to find a way in the face of undemocratic opposition from Westminster”. This path is not found.
Understand that a cause never rests on the shoulders of a single person. We forget it. Too bad for Scotland that Mme Sturgeon falls in battle. And too bad for Quebec.