6 May 2016

Speaking outside Bute House after securing the largest number of seats in the Scottish Parliament election, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“I made clear that education will be the defining and driving priority of my tenure as First Minister – and that I expect to be judged on it. I reiterate that today. Education is my passion and priority.

“Ensuring opportunities for all of our young people, regardless of their background or family circumstances is a cause that must unite, not divide us over the next five years. There is also considerable agreement on stepping up our ambition to tackle climate change and protect our environment and on putting support for innovation at the heart of our efforts to transform the productivity of the Scottish economy.

“So the government I lead will reach out. We will govern with conviction and determination but also with humility and a willingness to listen and to learn from the ideas of others.”

What happens next?

The winning party or the party with the most seats is invited to form a new Scottish Government, including a First Minister.

Within 28 days of the election the Scottish Parliament must select one of its Members as its nominee for First Minister. The First Minister will take office on appointment by Her Majesty the Queen and after being sworn in at the Court of Session.

The First Minister is responsible for the overall organisation of the Government, the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries and junior Ministers and for recommending appointment of the two Law Officers (the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General).