Sturgeon vows that Scotland will be independent as she is confirmed as next SNP leader

Scottish nationalists yesterday cleared the way for Nicola Sturgeon, a prominent figure in the failed independence bid in last month’s referendum, to become the country’s next first minister.

Sturgeon will succeed Alex Salmond as leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) next month and take over as head of the Scottish government for complex negotiations with Britain’s rulers on transferring extra powers to Edinburgh.

In what some nationalists termed a coronation, deputy SNP leader Sturgeon was the only candidate nominated by the party to succeed Salmond, who announced his exit after the failed bid.

Sturgeon said she would concentrate on improving employment and public services as well as holding Westminster politicians to account, accusing them of backsliding on promises of more autonomy for Scotland.

And Sturgeon, a 44-year-old former lawyer, has not given up on achieving independence, telling the BBC: “I believe Scotland will become an independent country well within my lifetime.” – (Reuters)