Nicola Sturgeon | The Person Behind the Politics

Nicola Sturgeon in conversation with Festival Honorary Patron Ali Smith. As Scotland’s only female First Minister, Nicola had a ringside seat at the key moments in 21st-century Scottish history. Just as comfortable interviewing writers on stage at literary festivals, she is now the author, reflecting on her own story.

In Frankly, her first book, Nicola takes readers from her working-class roots in Ayrshire to the very heart of Scottish and British politics. She offers an insider’s perspective on defining moments such as the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the SNP’s rise to power, the Scottish Independence Referendum, the complexities of Brexit, and the unforeseen challenges of the Covid pandemic.

With candour, insight and warmth, she shares personal achievements and regrets, discusses the challenges of being a woman in a high-stakes political arena, and reveals the person behind the public figure. The result is a deeply personal and revealing memoir from one of Britain’s most significant political leaders of recent times.

In conversation with Ali Smith