Nicola Sturgeon

It is important to be clear at the outset that the current lockdown remains vital – it is only because of it, that we are now seeing some progress against the virus. And these restrictions may need to continue in the current form beyond this three-week period.

WE are living through unprecedented times. The coronavirus crisis is like nothing we have faced in most of our lifetimes.

We are a mere two weeks away from the possibility of the UK exiting the EU without a deal or any transition arrangements in place.

Last week’s events at Westminster were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in UK politics.

Last week, Boris Johnson lost six House of Commons votes in as many days. He then ripped up the rule book and shut Parliament down - all to avoid scrutiny and give himself maximum freedom to force through a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

Last week will go down in history as one of the darkest times for British democracy, as Boris Johnson pressed ahead with plans to shut down Parliament in a blatant attempt to force through an extreme hard-Brexit.

My recollections of the start of the devolution era in Scotland are vivid – for personal and wider political and historic reasons.

Nicola Sturgeon's weekly column is in the Evening Times every Tuesday.

One of the things that I pledged when I became First Minister was that I’d do everything I could to improve opportunities for women and girls.

As Brexit chaos continues at Westminster, and as the UK Government fails to deliver any domestic policy agenda worthy of the name, the Scottish Government is getting on with the job of delivering policies which will make a real difference to people’s lives.