Watch: Sturgeon reacts after husband charged in police probe
Spectator (UK)APR 6 2024
Scotland's Ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Ends Marriage
Above: Nicola Sturgeon (R) leaves with her husband, Peter Murrell, after voting in the European Parliament elections at Broomhouse Community Hall in Glasgow on May 23, 2019. Image copyright: Andy Buchanan/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Sturgeon and Murrell reshaped Scottish politics as a powerful duo, driving SNP electoral successes. Sturgeon's leadership and Murrell's strategy created a formidable force, but their concentrated power sparked unease. Their legacy, once defined by dominance, is now marred by controversy — a true case study of the risks and rewards of modern politics.
Establishment-critical narrative
Sturgeon and Murrell's legacy is synonymous with destruction. Their centralization of power alienated allies and ultimately destabilized the SNP. Murrell faces embezzlement charges, while Sturgeon's ill-fated coalition with the Greens led to policies that alienated key voters. Far from building a lasting legacy, their tenure has left the SNP fractured, diminished, and struggling to recover.