Nicola Sturgeon not standing for election

I have been inundated with election bumff, mostly for the Lib Dems but also some for the other parties, so the parties in Edinburgh seem to think that the election is for all the UK.

I can follow her reasoning that she might be more effective in by staying in Scottish politics (if that is her plan) but I don't understand either how NS can be the leader of a political group in parliament at Westminster without being an MP there herself. Surely the leader of that group is one of those who are at Westminster and attending Parliamentary sessions?

Leaders of new parties which have never had a representative elected can't help but be outside Parliament, but I would have thought that they would be one of the first to put themselves forward for election.

Big fish in smaller pond vs small fish in bigger pond?

Alex Salmond may well get a seat in Westminster, but it sounds as though NS expects to be doing all the talking!

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/general-election-2015-nicola-sturgeon-puts-alex-salmond-in-his-place-by-saying-shell-be-in-charge-of-postelection-talks-10191551.html

I don't understand it much either.

Am I over thinking something and is it simply the case that Scotland, N.Ireland and Wales are fortunate to have their own parliament but the English do not. Meaning this is a General Election in words but not in meaning as it is for Westminster MP's only, not for every MP in the UK to be elected, some are safe at this General Election in other words.

If I have that right how on earth is that a fair playing field for English/Westminster MP's?

A naive question if I have come to the right conclusion when are elections taking place in Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland.

Although I follow the SNP and their policies, I have no idea. I wonder if she thinks she can make more impact without being a local MP?

Or maybe there are other more personal reasons. x