The challenges ahead for Nicola Sturgeon as she becomes Scotland's longest-serving First Minister
Today Nicola Sturgeon surpasses the time Alex Salmond spent in Bute House
Last updated 25th May 2022
Nicola Sturgeon has set a new record as the longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, overtaking the record set by her predecessor Alex Salmond, having now spent a total of seven years, six months and five days in the job.
Ms Sturgeon took over from Mr Salmond as SNP leader - and then First Minister - in the wake of the 2014 independence referendum when Scots voted to stay as part of the UK.
Since then her relationship with the man who was her political mentor has turned sour amid the Scottish Government's botched handling of harassment complaints against Mr Salmond, and him forming the rival Alba party.
Nicola Sturgeon's years as First Minister of Scotland
In November 2014 Nicola Sturgeon is elected as SNP leader and First Minister after Alex Salmond, the previous leader resigned following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
A few weeks later in December 2014 Nicola Sturgeon meets HM Queen at Buckingham Palace
In the 2015 General Election, Nicola Sturgeon embarks on a 5-day helicopter tour of Scotland. The SNP won a landslide election, winning 56 out of 59 Scottish seats in Westminster.
In 2016 the SNP lost its overall majority in the Scottish parliamentary elections but remained the largest party and Sturgeon continued as First Minister with a minority government. In October 2016 Nicola Sturgeon went to Downing Street for a meeting with then Prime Minister, Theresa May about the fallout from Brexit.
Here is Ms Sturgeon attending the opening of the Queensferry Crossing in September 2017 alongside HM Queen. The 2017 General election saw the SNP lose 21 seats in Westminter, but it still remained the biggest party in Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon trying her hand at archery in 2017
July 2018 PRIDE Glasgow 2018 Nicola Sturgeon is pictured leading the walk up St Vincent St, Glasgow
Dec 2019: Nicola Sturgeon at a photo call with her SNP MPs outside the V&A Museum in Dundee. The SNP won 48 seats in the 2019 General election and were second place in the remaining 11 seats.
A pensive looking Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood in March 2020 ahead of a statement from Health Minister, Jeane Freeman MSP on the state of Coronovirus in Scotland
November 2020 Nicola Sturgeon rriving at Holyrood wearing a face covering
March 2021 giving evidence to the Committee of the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. The committee was set up to investigate how the Government breached its own guidelines in its original investigation into harassment claims against former First Minister Alex Salmond.
In 2021 Ms Sturgeon does what no other leader had done before and becomes First Minister for a third term in a row. The SNP won 64 of the 129 seats contested and formed a government with the Green Party.
May 2022 Nicola Sturgeon dons a 'Jimmy hat' as she gate crashes a hen-party during a visit to Portobello, Edinburgh, while on the local election campaign trail.
In June 2022, Sturgeon officially announced her plan for Scottish independence once again and said there was a way to get a referendum without permission from the UK Cabinet, but in November 2022 the Supreme Court ruled the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate a referendum on independence.
In February 2023 Nicola Sturgeon announces her resignation as First Minister of Scotland. In a press conference she confirmed she would step down, but would remain in place until a new leader is elected.
Recovering at home from Covid-19, which she says has 'knocked her for six' , Nicola Sturgeon seems unlikely to have little time to celebrate as her government faces criticism over cuts in services by the newly nationalised ScotRail and ongoing questions over the construction of two new ferries for lifeline routes, which are years late and over budget.
Controversy on gender and independence
Over the coming months, the Scottish Government will also look to pass two of the most controversial Bills in the history of the Scottish Parliament.
The first, the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, is currently making its way through Holyrood and would see the reduction of the minimum age required for a trans person to apply for a gender recognition certificate (GRC) - which allows for a birth certificate to be changed to reflect acquired gender.
Ms Sturgeon will also be tasked with shepherding a potentially legally problematic Bill through Holyrood that could fulfil her primary political ambition; Scottish independence.
The referendum Bill, which is yet to be published by the Scottish Government, is expected to pledge a referendum before the end of 2023 - the official government timeline for another vote.
With Downing Street repeatedly digging in their heels over the subject in recent years, it is unlikely the required powers will be devolved to Scotland to hold another referendum, meaning the passage of the Bill - guaranteed thanks to the power-sharing agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens - could end up in court.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.