A by election in the seat would be a key test for both Mr Sarwar and First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf and give an indication of support for their parties ahead of a general election, due next year.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23539962.covid-key-election-looms-margaret-ferrier-mp-loses-appeal/?ref=rss

Although Mark Drakeford is a supporter of the union, his expressed desire to see the UK "radically redrawn" as a "voluntary union of nations" made it easier to relate a pro-independence Scottish First Minister.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-64649657?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

And despite the First Minister insisting workers will not end up “on the scrapheap”, it is clear he needs to do more to reassure workers that they have a future.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23532608.floundering-ferry-building-lays-bare-lack-industrial-strategy/?ref=rss

And there is despair over a decision by the Welsh Labour administration of First Minister Mark Drakeford to make 20mph the default speed limit.

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1808847/starmer-ulez-motorist-election-khan

Asked about whether Mr Matheson should repay the money, First Minister told the BBC this afternoon: “No, the parliamentary authorities have already confirmed of course that it was a legitimate parliamentary expense.”

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23912926.demand-probe-ministers-11-000-holiday-ipad-bill/?ref=rss

Asked if Ms Sturgeon, Prof Leitch and Sir Gregor had deleted their messages, the First Minister was unable to say, but added that he would expect the officials to have retained messages relevant to the inquiry.

Source: https://www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/23888781.not-deleted-whatsapp-messages-relating-covid-pandemic-says-yousaf/?ref=rss

Asked what he would say to the PM about independence, the First Minister said: “I’ll be saying that the Westminster Government shouldn’t be denying democracy, shouldn’t be denying the voice of the Scottish people.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23418583.shona-robison-becomes-deputy-first-minister/?ref=rss

At the launch of Scotland Outlook 2030, the First Minister stated: “The (tourism) sector is vitally important to Scotland, supporting more than 200,000 jobs and contributing over £7 billion to our economy.

Source: https://www.arranbanner.co.uk/2023/03/03/arran-banner-letters-week-09-5/

Award-winning journalist and author Chitra said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be chaired by the First Minister, and look forward to discussing some of the ideas raised in Homelands which I know also hold meaning for her.

Source: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23312799.nicola-sturgeon-confirmed-guest-chair-paisley-book-festival/?ref=rss

But he added it needs the Government to come forward to assist and he asked the First Minister if she was “willing to commit to doing everything to save Mortons”.

Source: https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/23378201.mortons-rolls-breaks-silence-hint-possible-return/?ref=rss

But long-term aspirations require short-term support, and campaigning is one thing, but what businesses need an incoming First Minister to do most is … pause.

Source: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/business-barriers-dont-add-up-to-a-growth-agenda-liz-mcareavey-4055886

But the First Minister said: “We are supporting our NHS with record funding, record staffing and the wider support it needs to address these challenges.”

Source: https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/23359787.nhs-borders-respond-criticism-borders-politicians/?ref=rss

But the then First Minister was noticeably losing her grip on controlling the inner circle and they started to question why?

Source: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/your-views-academy-street-planners-seem-disinterested-in-co-322325/

But the uproar over Scotland’s gender policy was cited by some commentators as the to the downfall of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned in February citing the toll on her health.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/04/14/uk-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-on-trans-debate-says-women-dont-have-penises/

Delivering on a promise to SNP members in the party’s leadership contest, the First Minister launched a legal challenge against the UK Government.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23451320.humza-yousaf-gets-front-foot-legal-challenge/?ref=rss

Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed that he felt it was "appropriate and necessary" to allocate £6m for work on the vessels.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23391592.ferguson-marine-crisis-taxpayer-millions-pumped-ferry-firm/?ref=rss

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has claimed “assiduous” efforts are being made to close the £100 million hole in the Scottish Government’s budget – warning that some “minor” spending pledges could be delayed.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23304666.john-swinney-warns-minor-spending-pledges-delayed-budget/?ref=rss

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he did not know how many members the party has, adding: "I quite understand why people would want to know that data at this stage rather than at the end of the process."

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64972800?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

DEPUTY First Minister Shona Robison refused to confirm “speculation” around the reported introduction of a new tax bracket for high earners ahead of the Scottish Budget.

Source: https://www.thenational.scot/news/23995296.shona-robison-refuses-confirm-speculation-new-income-tax-band/?ref=rss

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, so the beleaguered First Minister has reached for the nationalists’ playbook and is manufacturing grievance with the UK Government.”

Source: https://www.barrheadnews.com/news/national/23450904.gender-bill-court-fight-only-means-defending-scottish-democracy---yousaf/?ref=rss