Sometimes I can’t believe they’d do it then they do. The Herald today has the above and: How many GPs are there in Scotland? 5 423. So, this survey has the responses of 285 or 5%. 5%! Was the sample constructed scientifically to be representative, as the pollsters do? No, is was self-selecting, ‘squeaky wheel’. Only those who could be bothered and 95% could not. 71% of the 285 said patient safety being affected. 202 of them, 3.7%. FFS. A 16 year-old doing a Modern Studies project would make no claims for a survey of such naked weakness. Is this … Continue reading Why do only 202 out of more than 5 423 Scottish GPs , 3.7% (!) ‘fear patients are at risk?’ Is it because Scotland has far more GPs per patient?

So, above and below, this is what BBC Scotland correctly calls ‘widespread disruption across the West coast network‘ but which many call a ‘crisis’ and one ‘newspaper’ has compared to the Highland Clearances! Here’s the key to the symbols: The Oban-Colonsay cancellation is only for Thursday. The Mallaig-Lochboisdale-Oban cancellation is until Friday 17 April. The other 28 services, despite, according to BBC Scotland a quarter of CalMac vessels being out-of-service, are operating normally or just inconveniently. This won’t last, as vessels return but the ‘ferry fiasco’ frenzied narrative looks like sailing on to Election day on 7 May. Luckily 95% of … Continue reading 2 out of 30 ferry services cancelled, one for a day – The Great Scottish Ferry Inconvenience of 2026 as we sail up to the Election

The Ipsos poll published today has Public transport/roads 10th, with 18%, in the list of issues respondents say will affect their vote. Perhaps surprisingly, given the MSM obsession with them, no poll ever asks about ferries explicitly. An AI estimate, based on media coverage, of the breakdown is Potholes up to 50% of the 18% or 9%; CalMac 25-35% or 6%, A9 dualing 10-20% or 4% and others 10-15% or 2%. So, at worst, only 94% of voters will not consider the ferries when voting. Footnote – OCD prof predicted to keep wasting his time, despite the above, defending CalMac, … Continue reading CalMac ‘concerns’ predicted to have almost no effect on Holyrood election result despite media carpet bombing

In the Telegraph yesterday, the above and: They were not wrong. Back in September last year, they had: Scotland plots uncapped council tax rises for second home owners – Green Party’s ‘pile on the costs’ proposal will be ‘gold standard’ for tackling homelessness. Councils in Scotland are poised to be granted powers to penalise second home owners with uncapped council tax premiums. ‘Plots’ not ‘plans?’ On the Second Homes Tax, I know, based on the evidence that matters, access to a decent home for local people on moderate incomes, it is a good thing and the more it has effect the … Continue reading Fantastic news as Telegraph accurately predicts its readers with second homes in Scotland WILL face uncapped tax rises of up to 500%