Why does Nicola Sturgeon not have a seat in Westminster?

The Scottish National Party leader proved to be the most popular figure of the general election campaign but did not stand as a candidate

Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon proved to be the most popular figure of the general election campaign - but she'll not a have a seat in Westminster.

Scotland's First Minister is already a member of the Scottish Parliament and did not stand as a candidate to become a MP.

But that didn't stop the SNP achieving a landside north of the border by taking 56 of the 59 seats and they will now have a much larger influence in British politics.

What's her background?

Aged 44, was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, and studied law at university. She had already been a member of the SNP for six years by the time she graduated - and that year became Scotland's youngest parliamentary candidate.

Her personality

In her early days, she had a reputation for being too serious. Some called her "nippy sweetie" - Glasgow slang for an irritable person - which she tried to defuse by handing out actual sweeties during her first leadership campaign. She's now judged as being a combative, inspiring, sincere, calm and determined character.

How did she become involved in politics?

Sturgeon came to the SNP through the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (scrapping Britain's nuclear weapons is now one of her policies). She stood unsuccessfully in the General Elections of 1992 and 1997, but won a seat in the new devolved Scottish Parliament.

How did she become SNP leader?

She planned to run for the party leadership in 2004, but withdrew when Alex Salmond announced his candidacy. She served as his deputy until Salmond stood down in September following the SNP's defeat in the independence referendum in Scotland.

Her general election hopes

Sturgeon hoped to form a coalition with Labour which would boot David Cameron out of office. But Labour's disastrous showing meant the Tories were able to secure an overall majority and form the new government.

Why did she not stand in the general election?

Sturgeon may have taken a personal personal decision to remain as First Minster in Scotland rather than become an MP at Westminster. She is acutely aware the political landscape in Scotland has changed and the surge of support for the SNP may allow them to force another referendum on independence, which is their main aim.

Will it make much difference if she's not a Westminster?

She's never set foot inside the British parliament and cannot sit there as long as she remains an MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) and MPs and MSPs are elected in separate elections. But that won't stop her or her party wielding a huge influence over Westminster politics from now on.