Nicola Sturgeon has criticized the election campaign strategy led by John Swinney ahead of the recent Holyrood elections, stating it lacked "vision or big-picture thinking." In a new foreword for the paperback edition of her memoir, "Frankly," Sturgeon condemned the Scottish National Party's (SNP) approach, which she argued was "detached from the big issues bearing down on people's lives."
The SNP failed to secure a majority in the May elections, a result Swinney had claimed would provide a mandate for an independence referendum. Sturgeon, who stepped down as an MSP, also indicated that Swinney was fortunate the Green Party did not field more candidates, as this could have exacerbated the SNP's poorest electoral performance in nearly two decades.
Sturgeon also used the foreword to address her estranged husband Peter Murrell's conviction for embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP. She described feeling "completely and utterly betrayed" by his actions, which she said exposed her to "suspicion, humiliation and vilification."
Additionally, Sturgeon warned against the SNP softening its environmentalist stance, calling it a "massive electoral blunder." This comes as the party has adopted a more supportive position towards the oil and gas industry during the recent campaign.
The Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, criticized Sturgeon's remarks, stating that she and Swinney were "guilty of enabling her husband's crime spree." He also accused her of praising the Green Party due to shared beliefs and suggested her comments were "egotistical white noise."
In the updated foreword, Sturgeon also revealed she is writing a political thriller about a female First Minister with a "dark" secret past, emphasizing that the novel is not autobiographical but draws on her insider knowledge of government. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny over her refusal to release a statement she provided to police during Operation Branchform.
The SNP has been approached for comment regarding Sturgeon's criticism of the election strategy.