Nicola Sturgeon is back. The former SNP leader, who stood down as First Minister in March, popped up in the Scottish parliament today to issue a warning on the state of ‘political discourse’. It was Sturgeon’s first appearance in the chamber since she was arrested as part of a probe into SNP finances. Sturgeon, who was released without charge and denies any wrongdoing, called for politicians to engage in a more ‘mature debate’. She also insisted that ‘things look(ed) a bit clearer’ from the backbenches. She told MSPs:
‘Let me say that I accept my share of responsibility for the state of our political discourse. But if anything that makes me more determined to play a part in trying to change it. Polarisation in politics is much maligned. It is the paralysis of action it results in that should worry us most.’
Sturgeon rounded off her speech with a message to her critics:
‘Disagreement is the essence of democracy.
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