Ruthless Sturgeon promotes 'new SNP generation'

We always new Nicola Sturgeon was a tough political operator. Now we know just how tough.

In a radical and wide-ranging reshuffle of the Scottish Cabinet the First Minister has promoted the SNP's 'new generation'.

But she has shown her ruthless streak by sacking three senior cabinet colleagues and several junior ministers.

The highest profile casualty is Shona Robison, who faced repeated calls from opposition parties to resign as health secretary over her handing of the NHS.

Ms Robison formally resigned today, a day in which doctors' leaders increased the pressure on her by warning the health service under the SNP government in Scotland was in trouble.

In her letter to the First Minister, Ms Robison said: "As you know this last year has been particularly challenging to me personally, losing both my parents, having a health scare of my own, and some big changes in my personal life.

"I thank you for your support during these difficult times.I feel that I have reached a point in my life just now where I would be best to step down from a role in Government."

In her reply, Ms Sturgeon noted her time as Health Secretary "coincided with a time of unprecedented pressure on our NHS".

She added: "Our friendship has always been extremely important to me... I knowthat I will continue to seek your counsel as a colleague and a friend."

Despite this very warm, and genuine, exchange, well-placed sources have made it clear Ms Robison did not have much, if any, choice in this matter.

There was speculation at Holyrood last night that she may have been offered and turned down another role, which might have been seen as a demotion. So to put it plainly, she has been sacked.

And sacked by Ms Sturgeon who is one of her oldest political and personal friends. It's a tough, tough old game politics. Brutal in fact.

Also out of the Scottish Cabinet is economy secretary Keith Brown, who has up to now been responsible for economic initiatives including setting up the new south of Scotland enterprise agency.

Mr Brown was recently elected as SNP deputy leader and has been given responsibility for "policy development, preparation for future elections and building the case for Scotland to become an independent country".

That's a big job in terms of the party, if Mr Brown is allowed to do it by Ms Sturgeon in her role as SNP leader and by the party's chief executive Peter Murrell (who happens to be Ms Sturgeon's husband).

But before today Mr Brown had made clear recently that he felt he could be both a minister and deputy leader. That's not now happening.

So that amounts to a sacking too, and one which will cost his nearly £48,000 a year cabinet secretary salary (on top of hisMSP's pay of over £62,000) though Mr Brown hopes he will retain influence in the party.

The current finance minister Derek MacKay, keeps most of his job, but will take on responsibility for the enterprise agencies, including the one proposed for the south of Scotland.

Those have been promoted are a mixture of youth and experience, but SNP government sources are making it clear they are regarded politically at least as 'the new generation'.

Those in new positions - that 'new generation' -include Jeane Freeman, a former member of both the Communist and Labour parties, and a former adviser to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell.

She becomes health secretary. She has many years of experience in the world of politics in Scotland, but came to the SNP on the back of the independence referendum and was elected an MSP at the last Holyrood election.

Given Ms Robison's experience this is one of the most challenging roles in the Scottish government though Ms Freeman might be seen as 'lucky' as there is more money on its way on the back of the promised increase in the health budget at Westminster.

Among the most notable appointments, there is Humza Yousaf as Justice Secretary. He will lead the delivery of new Hate Crime laws and policing.

He's the first Muslim to join the Scottish Cabinet, another milestone for Scotland.Shirley-Anne Somerville is the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People and will oversee the delivery of the first social security payments following the passage of the recent Social Security Bill.

That is a huge challenge given how complex and complicated social security is, even if Scotland is only getting some 15% if the total social security responsibilities - in terms of budget - from Westminster.

And veteran SNP politician Michael Russell, who is responsible for Brexit in the Scottish government and has been negotiating with Westminster for months, keeps that job but joins the cabinet.

Overall Ms Sturgeon increased the cabinet by two to 12 members, and the gender balance is maintained.

We will hear more about the junior ministerial jobs tomorrow but tonight's reshuffle prompts two immediate questions.

The first is whether new faces mean new policies - a point the opposition parties make - or just more of the same with different front men, or women.

And second whether with more former ministers on the backbenches, Ms Sturgeon could, over time, see some internal opposition - from those who have been ministers and and those who have never been.

Party sources say that is unlikely as it is "not the culture" of the SNP, though experience in other parties would suggest it might happen.

For now all we know is there are a whole number of new ministers who will tonight be frantically reading up on briefings on their portfolios from their civil servants.

And some, those who have lost their jobs, who will no longer have those briefcase loads of paperwork to deal with. They may find it something of a relief.