Year: 2025

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Labour UK copy SNP winning strategy on land use but only 14 years after

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Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this: From the Guardian today, in 2025: The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will announce a consultation into how the limited land in England should be used and where is best to farm, restore nature or build infrastructure. The finished blueprint will use the latest data to map where the areas with the best quality farmland and most potential for nature recovery are and be plugged into the planning matrix used by environment secretary, Ed Miliband, and housing secretary, Angela Rayner. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/31/land-use-plan-england-map-farming-nature-housing-solar-wind No target date for the finished blueprint is as yet noted. From the Scottish Government, largely … Continue reading Labour UK copy SNP winning strategy on land use but only 14 years after

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Affluent Toronto’s ferries, 61 to 114 years old, crash into docks, injure passengers and cause massive delays

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From blogTO in Toronto, Canada, three days ago, we see that all of its ferries are out of service because the ice-breaker boat is in dock for maintenance. You’d think they’d get the maintenance done in summer? Also: While the City’s ferry fleet carries more than 1.4 million passengers annually, its current ferries are between 61 and 114 years old. [CalMac’s oldest ferry is 48] Back in September, the almost 90-year-old William Inglis ferry experienced a mechanical issue and subsequently drifted into the wooden slip at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Although paramedics and Toronto Police’s marine unit were called to the … Continue reading Affluent Toronto’s ferries, 61 to 114 years old, crash into docks, injure passengers and cause massive delays

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As households in England & Wales see hikes in water charges of 19% to 47%, let’s paraphrase documented responses to sub-10% increases in Scotland from Dame Jackie Baillie MSP

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‘It is a gross insult that the English and Welsh are being forced to pay for eye-watering bill hikes while a water industry chief executive can rakes in over £3 million a year’ ‘The Labour government has responsibilities for the water industry in England and Wales, and approved this inflation-busting rise during a cost-of-living crisis. Labour must reverse this outrageous decision.’ ‘It beggars belief that the Labour governments in Westminster and Cardiff are letting water companies in England and Wales hike bills at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet’ ‘‘If the Labour Party really … Continue reading As households in England & Wales see hikes in water charges of 19% to 47%, let’s paraphrase documented responses to sub-10% increases in Scotland from Dame Jackie Baillie MSP

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Scotland has to decide in 2026 whether they will vote for slogans from Labour

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By Liz S Whether Labour are indeed holding off and so preparing to announce benefits for Scotland next year prior to the Scottish election then why wait until then as that surely will be too obvious and also too tactical ? Yes I do know that is who Labour are politically. Though will most of the political damage and the fallout for Labour in Scotland not already have happened by next year ? Many of Reeves announcements, for England, were for the future so why not also include something for every nation within the UK. It also stinks to make … Continue reading Scotland has to decide in 2026 whether they will vote for slogans from Labour

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British Labour Party leaders find ways to excuse their track record in government by reference to external factors when they don’t have the SNP to blame

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By stewartb The British Labour Party’s leader in the Holyrood parliament, Anas Sarwar MSP is quoted in a Holyrood magazine article from February 14, 2024 entitled: ‘Labour unveils new ‘blueprint for economic growth’. It was a fairly typical ‘blame the Scottish Government’ piece useful for illustration. ‘Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused the SNP-Green government of “failing” businesses and “choking off opportunity and hurting families and companies in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and a cost-of-doing-business crisis”. (my emphasis) And: ‘The Labour Party argues that the SNP has failed to grow the economy over its 17 years in government ..’ It’s worth recalling … Continue reading British Labour Party leaders find ways to excuse their track record in government by reference to external factors when they don’t have the SNP to blame

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Polling tells SNP to keep it simple and to repeat what it is doing for the cost-of-living and health

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From pollster More in Common, based on data gathered 24-27 January 2025, the above. As in previous polls there are clear and repeating messages for the SNP in the run-up to the 2026 Holyrood election. Across the UK, the cost-of-living is by some way, the most important concern for voters, and in Scotland too. This means that it, perhaps combined with employment, has to be upfront almost all the time in campaigning. The myth of higher taxation in Scotland is damaging and will be milked by opposition parties and their media lackeys. The tiny but nevertheless higher amount paid by … Continue reading Polling tells SNP to keep it simple and to repeat what it is doing for the cost-of-living and health

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Elaine Stewart MP and Rachel Reeves – What is Scotland getting and when is it getting it?

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By Liz S When Elaine Stewart awakes from her stupor perhaps she can digest this below and then ask the Chancellor “What’s Scotland getting and when” ? Labour UK government future plans and projects and more importantly the locations of these future government plans/projects. Heathrow expansion – location London. Also they have backed the expansion of City Airport and Stansted Airport – location around London. Expand Luton Airport and build an emergency runway at Gatwick Airport will be delivered soon – location London. Reopen the Doncaster Sheffield Airport, aiming to turn it into a thriving regional hub – location is regional hub … Continue reading Elaine Stewart MP and Rachel Reeves – What is Scotland getting and when is it getting it?

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A ‘front door’ A&E innovation in the NHS to benefit the frail gains support across the UK:  Unionist politicians in Scotland call it ‘granny bouncers’!

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By stewartb Scotland’s FM gave a speech (January 27) on actions to relieve pressures on NHS Scotland to the benefit of patients. Among the measures proposed, he referenced this: ‘By this summer, we will have specialised staff in frailty teams, at the front door of every A&E department in Scotland. This will mean that frail patients, often older patients with complex needs, will bypass our busy A&Es, in order to receive the specialist care and support they need, whether in hospital or back at home. It will mean better care for these most vulnerable patients while reducing the pressure on … Continue reading A ‘front door’ A&E innovation in the NHS to benefit the frail gains support across the UK:  Unionist politicians in Scotland call it ‘granny bouncers’!

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Labour MP, Elaine Stewart, former boxing club treasurer, sits nervously on her hands and betrays the 7 000 Waspi women in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock

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In the vote today in the House of Commons, to follow the Ombudsman’s recommendation and compensate the Waspi women, Elaine Stewart, MP for Ayr Carrick and Cumnock, did not vote, resulting in the betrayal of these women, many caring for elderly and vulnerable relatives, minding grandchildren so that their sons and daughters can work in this difficult cost-of-living crisis or seriously unwell themselves. 10 of her Labour colleagues did have the courage to vote. You have to wonder how a volunteer and the treasurer of Doon Valley amateur boxing club could be so chicken. 10 Labour MPs did have the … Continue reading Labour MP, Elaine Stewart, former boxing club treasurer, sits nervously on her hands and betrays the 7 000 Waspi women in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock

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Privatised English ferry company has 30% of its fleet in dock, with no new replacements due

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From BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight, 26th January 2025: Ferry passengers will face journey disruption as two vessels undergo repair and maintenance work. Operator Red Funnel, which has a service between the Isle of Wight and Southampton, will run a one-boat timetable for at least three weeks from Sunday while the foot passenger ferries are out of action. The firm’s Red Jet 6 ferry has been sent to Wight Shipyard for a permanent repair to one of its water jet shaft seals, which was temporarily fixed in November. Red Jet 7 will begin its annual maintenance work once Red … Continue reading Privatised English ferry company has 30% of its fleet in dock, with no new replacements due