NICOLA Sturgeon has said she hopes Mhairi Black might consider running to be an MSP in the future after announcing she would be quitting Westminster.
Black has said she will not be standing in the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat at the next General Election stating that the House of Commons was a "toxic workplace".
Sturgeon tweeted that he was "gutted" and said she hoped her absence from politics would only be temporary, adding she'd like to see the SNP depute leader in the Scottish Parliament in the future.
She said: "Both gutted by and entirely understanding of this. Her reasons resonate. But what a loss of a unique talent, not just to @theSNP but to politics generally.
Both gutted by and entirely understanding of this. Her reasons resonate. But what a loss of a unique talent, not just to @theSNP but to politics generally. I only hope it’s temporary. The world needs more Mhairi Blacks in politics, not fewer. I hope we will see her in @ScotParl… https://t.co/DfUHF65tdw
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 4, 2023
"I only hope it’s temporary. The world needs more Mhairi Blacks in politics, not fewer. I hope we will see her in @ScotParl in future."
Black, who has been the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South since 2015, revealed to The News Agents podcast she would be looking to leave the London parliament.
She said Westminster was making her "tired" and described it as one of the "most unhealthy" places to work in.
Pushed on her description of the parliament as "toxic", Black said: "It's definitely a poisonous place."
Black's announcement comes after a handful of other SNP MPs also said that they would not be standing at the next General Election including Peter Grant, Angela Crawley, Stewart Hosie, Douglas Chapman, and Ian Blackford.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel