Ian Blackford steps down from SNP leader post at Westminster. This is what he said

Nicola Sturgeon’s main associate, Ian Blackford, has resigned from the SNP Leader post in Westminster. This comes as SNP MPs have made several efforts to make Ian Blackford quit. He has now finally stepped down from the post he held since 2017. The MP has ruled out contesting for the post again. Speaking about his future move, Ian Blackford said in a statement that “right now is the time for fresh leadership”.

Nicola Sturgeon tried saving Ian Blackford from a series of internal bickering, but SNP MPs showed dismay towards the way she handled things. That probably influenced the decision to finally let Ian Blackford go. Nicola’s party recommended Stephen Flynn as their new leader in the place of Ian to drive the party forward. This occurred as several MPs showed support towards Ian’s ouster.

Ian Blackford said, “During my time as leader, the SNP won a landslide victory in the 2019 general election, with an increased share of the vote and MPs, and support for independence has continued to grow with polling this week showing a majority in favour.”


He further said, “While I am stepping down as Westminster leader, I will continue in my role as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I have also accepted a new role at the centre of the SNP’s independence campaign, leading on business engagement.

Adding to it, he said, “I would like to thank our MPs and staff for all their support over the past five years. Whoever replaces me as Westminster leader will have my full support as, together, we stand up for Scotland’s interests and democratic right to choose our future in an independence referendum, said Ian.



Following Ian Blackford’s final goodbye, Nicola Sturgeon gave her best wishes for his next endeavours saying, “he did an outstanding job in holding the Tory government to account". She added, "I would like to pay tribute to Ian Blackford for his five years as leader of the SNP’s Westminster group.”

"He led the group at a time of huge electoral success for the SNP, particularly at the 2019 general election, and has done an outstanding job in holding the Tory government to account and in promoting the case for Independence.”

"I would like to place on record my thanks for Ian’s diligence, tenacity, friendship and loyalty in his time as group Leader.”

"He will continue to play an important role as constituency MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I have also asked him to take on a role as part of the wider SNP team preparing the case for Independence.”

"I look forward to working with Ian’s successor as group leader at Westminster, as we continue to make the case for the people of Scotland to have a democratic choice on the country’s future."

FAQs:

1. Who’s Ian Blackford?
   Since 2015, Ian Blackford is the Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom.
2. Who is the First Minister of Scotland?
   Nicola Sturgeon has been serving as the First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2014.