Sturgeon’s SNP book comments were a ‘mistake’, says Flynn

Stephen Flynn, the former Westminster leader for the Scottish National Party (SNP) and current cabinet secretary for economy, tourism, and transport, recently voiced his opinion that Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, erred in her decision to publish critical comments about the SNP in the foreword of her book. This sentiment was shared during an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe event, The Political Party with Matt Forde, where Flynn was directly questioned about Sturgeon’s observations, which first appeared in the paperback edition of her memoir, “Frankly,” at the beginning of the month.

Sturgeon’s critique, specifically targeting the SNP’s Holyrood election campaign, described it as lacking “vision or big picture thinking.” Flynn acknowledged that these remarks created an unnecessary “distraction,” hindering the party’s ongoing efforts to deliver on its promises. While he firmly believes that former first ministers should actively contribute to political discourse, he stressed the importance of doing so constructively. He elaborated, “Given what they experienced in their position as first minister, it’s vital actually that they partake in that ongoing set of debates about what society looks like and how we deliver that positive future in politics. But I think when you’re doing that, you do it in a constructive fashion.”

Flynn openly admitted to making his own mistakes in the past, reflecting on his approaches and acknowledging that “we all do certain things.” He then drew a parallel, stating, “I think Nicola made a mistake in this context as well.” However, he quickly added that this misstep should not diminish the overall value of her future contributions to political debate.

When pressed on whether Sturgeon’s departure and subsequent comments had strained her relationship with the party hierarchy, and if there was a sense of annoyance within the ranks, Flynn clarified the sentiment. He explained that the predominant feeling was more one of “frustration” than outright anger. This frustration stemmed from the perception that her comments were not delivered in a constructive manner, despite the widespread desire to hear her insights. He highlighted Sturgeon’s political acumen and past successes, stating, “I want to hear what Nicola has to say because she’s incredibly good at politics and she was incredibly successful.” Nevertheless, he suggested that the method of delivery is crucial, implying that she “would probably regard it as a misstep” herself. This incident has undeniably stirred conversations within the party and among political observers, prompting reflection on how former leaders can best engage with the ongoing political landscape without creating internal friction or unnecessary breaking news.