Has Nicola Sturgeon's pandemic performance made independence more likely? Fifers have their say

The First Minister has been under intense scrutiny during the pandemic and the party’s supporters hope that her performace will boost calls for independence further.

We asked how her handling of the crisis might affect your vote and the outcome of any potential future referendum.

As a Nicola Sturgeon supporter, Bunty Lottie Heidi Hound couldn’t be clearer: “It's a massive yes from me, a supporter of the SNP. Nicola Sturgeon is head and shoulders above Boris and the Tories.”

Liz Heggie agreed: “Independence is our only hope. Getting rid of Westminster rule and running our own country will make Scotland a healthy wealthy country. Most importantly, a leader like Nicola, who has been recognised as a great leader by many countries of the world, is the best chance we have to get independence.”

Others, including Stephen Watt, think that another issue will have far more impact that Covid on Scotland's future: “Covid will pass sooner rather than later hopefully. It will be Brexit that delivers independence. It’s already having a devastating effect on our seafood industry and will only get worse.”

Many have not had their opinion of independence changed by the Covid crisis, including Stephen Martin: “I would vote for independence regardless. It’s not about one politician, but about the next 300-plus years. History has shown us that every country that has escaped the United Kingdom's rule has prospered. Scotland would be no different. It’s time to help reshape our relationship across these isles from one of dictatorship to one of equality and respect.”

Colin Stewart has different views on independence, but a similar opinion on the impact of the last 10 months: “It’s nothing to do with the pandemic. We’ve already had the independence vote, which was once in a generation. She needs to put her emphasis now on sorting Scotland’s problems, NHS, education, transportation etc.”

Kate Ekanger agrees, though is more philosophical: “The pandemic has nothing to do with independence. Neither Nicola or Boris are forever. Neither current government is forever. Think on.”

Meanwhile, Sebster Ewe Kay’s decision will rest on more pragmatic matters: “It's not her leadership that affects my decision regarding independence, it's the economics of it that I would need convincing of from a reliable source and not some random on Facebook.”

While Philip Hughes doesn’t approve of the First Minister’s handling of the health emergency, he will still vote for independence: “The pandemic has turned me away from the SNP but I'll still be voting for independence. The SNP are the means to an end. I’m not the biggest fan of the SNP but they're miles above anything England has to offer and the fact Labour and the Tories are openly in bed with each other on the matter of independence is politcal suicide for them both.”

However, Duncan Gordon Haddow is one person who has had his opinion swayed: “I didn't get to vote last time round as I was living in Australia but comparing the way the First Minister has handled this crisis to the way the Prime Minister has handled it makes me very likely to support a bid for independence.”

Jospeh Noon is more rigid in his views: “Personally I was born into the United Kingdom not an independent Scotland. Her handling of the pandemic won't make me any more or less likely to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for an independent Scotland.”

James Peggie is also unmoved by Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership: “No chance! I would never vote for anything the SNP asked me to vote for. They are running this country into the ground. Their record in many areas is shocking, and they dont seem to care.”

Finally, Jack Adam Nicholson thinks that independence is a matter for another day: “Now I'm all for an independent Scotland but, come on, let’s put it on the back burner and sort out the pandemic first and instead of the Green Party proposal for a tunnel under the Forth maybe put that money in to the schools, NHS, emergency services and struggling businesses. This lockdown has proven that the government needs to support these first.”