Nicola Sturgeon has formally announced her resignation as the Scottish First Minister after more than eight years in the role, saying the “brutality” of modern politics had taken its toll. 

Ms Sturgeon said she had told the Scottish National Party to begin the process of electing a new party leader and that she would “remain in office until my successor is elected”. 

Telegraph readers rejoiced at the news, with many agreeing that she brought division across the country with her staunch pro-independence agenda and controversial trans laws.

Others look to the future in the hope that harmony can now be restored across the UK.

Here is some of the best reaction so far:

‘With her single-minded focus on independence, she allowed everything else to fall apart’

Heather Sharp: “Inevitable and expected. What took the nasty piece of work so long.

“She's reduced Scotland - a wonderful country with many wonderful people - to a viperish cesspit of divisiveness and hatred, especially for the English. Her stupid postering over trans issues finally did for her.”

L James: “Hallelujah. The most divisive, incompetent, recklessly divisive excuse for a politician ever. This is Scotland's real independence day.”

Robert Davies: “The irony in this. She joins the extreme-Left woke and virtue signalling brigade, who try to cancel anyone who has a different opinion to their damaging ideology - and gets cancelled herself for making the same mistakes these lefties make. 

“She either forgot or more likely chose to ignore that the silent vast majority, of which her votes depend, are the ones who she needs to listen to.”

Piggy Malone: “May I be the first to offer my congratulations to Rishi Sunak for his brave and wise decision to face down Sturgeon over the GRR madness. Result!”

S Thomas: “This cynical, manipulative politician tried to weaponise the trans debate and hit Westminster over the head with it to advance her pro-independence agenda. She was quite happy to throw vulnerable women under the bus in the process. I am delighted by her downfall.”

Mrs P L Watson: “She was an utter disaster for my country. With her single-minded focus on independence, she allowed everything else to fall apart. This last fiasco, pandering to a tiny minority whilst ignoring the rights of half the population, was the final straw. Goodbye and good riddance.”

Mike Re: “This is the reason we left the EU. In the UK, when politicians no longer have the support of the people, they either resign or get voted out. This just does not happen in the EU - Ursula von der Leyen can completely ignore the will of the people she's president of.”

Louise Lawrence: “It's noticeable that even her admirers can only claim that she led the SNP to many election victories - but noone can claim she did anything to improve Scotland or the lives of its residents.”

What next?: ‘Scotland deserves better than its last two leaders’

Zeno the Stoic: “I’m not sure why Westminster is surprised she’s leaving. I could see this coming from a mile off.

“My only concern is who’s coming next. I fervently wished for Salmond’s demise only to be horrified when his replacement turned out to be far worse. Let’s hope that the same doesn’t happen again. Scotland deserves better than its last two leaders.

“Alternatively, let’s just reverse devolution. It’s been an unmitigated disaster for Scotland, Wales and London, all of whom have been taken over by tinpot dictator types who’s only ambition is to sock it to the evil English.”

Martin Watkins: “She's had enough: The feeling is entirely mutual.

“I don't know the woman, I don't know much about Scotland, but she seems to be someone filled with hate and determined to wreck anything with which she disagrees.

“I hope she is replaced with someone who is prepared to work to repair bridges so that some harmony can be restored.”

Christian Grant: “The ‘Jacinda’ resignation:

“A resignation done prior to an election knowing full well you are about to get a drubbing in the polls. A cowardly way to leave knowing the person following you will get the brunt of the public’s wrath when it's you that deserve every bit of it for being utterly rubbish at the job you once held.

“Cult followers will be crying in the cornflakes but the rest of the normal people in Scotland will be rejoicing in the hope the SNP is about to implode and we may get a bunch of politicians that are willing to work for the nation rather than for personal gain and fantasy dreams.”

Simon Brady: “Great news for the people of Scotland.

“This is a real chance for a fresh start. To fully maximise Scotland’s potential within the UK.”

What do you make of Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as Scottish First Minister? Join the conversation in the comments section below