The politician says she will step down after 27 years as an MSP, including more than eight as first minister of Scotland.

When she steps down at next year’s Scottish Parliament election, Nicola Sturgeon will have spent 27 years as an MSP and made history as the first woman to become Scotland’s first minister. She was also the longest-serving incumbent in that post – dealing with no fewer than five different Conservative prime ministers during her time in the job.

The ex-SNP leader announced on Wednesday morning that she will stand down run from Scottish Parliament in 2026.