SNP has ‘no obvious successor’ to Nicola Sturgeon as support for independence hovers around 50%

SNP has ‘no obvious successor’ to Nicola Sturgeon as support for independence hovers around 50%

Daily Record says Scotland’s top polling expert has said the future success of the independence campaign will depend on who the SNP chooses as its next leader.

Professor John Curtice told the Record there were “obvious downsides” for Yes campaigners as a result of Nicola Sturgeon’s dramatic resignation yesterday.

The Strathclyde University academic, who is a regular analyst on BBC political shows, said it was not obvious the Nationalists had a replacement who could match the communication skills of the out-going First Minister.

Sturgeon became leader of the SNP in the wake of the 2014 referendum on independence which saw the pro-UK side win by 55%-45%.

Support for ending the Union has regularly hovered around the 50 per cent mark in the years since.

The First Minister’s plan to stage an IndyRef2 in October this year was struck down by the Supreme Court last November after it ruled Holyrood did not have the required legal powers.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-no-obvious-successor-nicola-29226299