The decision of Nicola Sturgeon to stand down as First Minister of Scotland was sudden, but not unexpected. There has been speculation on her future for months despite her claim just two weeks ago that she had plenty in her tank to keep going.

After 16 years of SNP government in Scotland, we have become used to seeing just a few high-profile figures. I feel reasonably confident that few members of the public could name no more than a handful of SNP Scottish ministers.