Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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As two large English police forces still arrest women for ‘illegal’ abortions it is effectively de-criminalised in Scotland

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In the Guardian today: Vulnerable women in England still being arrested over suspected illegal abortions – Nottinghamshire and Met police made arrests in past year, despite MPs voting to decriminalise in England and Wales. Vulnerable women in England still being arrested over suspected illegal abortions Nottinghamshire and Met police made arrests in past year, despite MPs voting to decriminalise in England and Wales. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/women-arrested-suspected-illegal-abortion-england-police Has any woman been arrested for taking part in an ‘illegal’ abortion in Scotland? No, there is no public record or reported case of a woman in Scotland being arrested for participating in or procuring an … Continue reading As two large English police forces still arrest women for ‘illegal’ abortions it is effectively de-criminalised in Scotland

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Twice as many have NHS dental care in Scotland, hundreds queue for care in England but the Herald lets the British dentists’ trade union and the least trusted pollster YouGov tell us we have a problem as a failed dentist faces a near extinction event for his party

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The Herald front-paging a survey paid for by the British Dental Association, the dentists’ trade union and carried out by YouGov, the pollster which can never find a Yes majority and proven most likely to downplay SNP leads. In the Guardian last week: Almost a third of people in England now use private dentistry, with a sharp rise in the number of poorer households forced to pay for fillings and extractions. The scarcity of NHS care means the proportion of people turning to private dental services jumped from 22% in 2023 to 32% late last year, the health service’s patient watchdog found. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/09/nhs-dental-crisis-private-dentist-patient-incease-england We’re hearing … Continue reading Twice as many have NHS dental care in Scotland, hundreds queue for care in England but the Herald lets the British dentists’ trade union and the least trusted pollster YouGov tell us we have a problem as a failed dentist faces a near extinction event for his party

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Not Scottish Daily Mail campaigns for the 1% of council tax payers as average bill in Scotland remains 25% below England and Wales

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The Daily Mail frontpage above. How many will pay more than £4 000? Less than 1% in most areas and 1-2% in a few Edinburgh and Glasgow areas, for a pile comparable to the above. How does the average compare across the UK? Average Band D Council Tax for 2026/2027 – These are approximate national averages for a Band D property (the most common comparator). Actual bills vary widely by local authority, property specifics, discounts (e.g., single occupancy), and exemptions. On average, Council Tax in Scotland, around 25% lower than in England or Wales. Sources at: https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=2033464876346012090 Continue reading Not Scottish Daily Mail campaigns for the 1% of council tax payers as average bill in Scotland remains 25% below England and Wales

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As healthcare in England becomes a full-blown two-tier system with only 84% now in the NHS how health care in Scotland remains 96% within the NHS

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Headlining on BBC Breakfast this morning, this claim from Health Watch UK: NHS Scotland is not part of the study: In 2023, 9% of those we polled had accessed private healthcare in the last year. By 2025, this figure nearly doubled to 16%. The use of private dental care increased from 22% to 32% over the same period. The poll of 2,593 people in England, aged 18 and above, was run by Savanta between 31 October and 7 November 2025. We asked about the public’s use of NHS and private health care, and their confidence in accessing timely NHS care. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/news/2026-03-16/two-tier-healthcare-increases-confidence-timely-access-remains-low … Continue reading As healthcare in England becomes a full-blown two-tier system with only 84% now in the NHS how health care in Scotland remains 96% within the NHS

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This 21st Century ‘Pandora’ represents the unreliable French nuclear industry in Scotland but pretends to be grassroots

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You couldn’t make it up. The Ferret‘s recent exposure of the Britain Remade group, a supposedly, self-described ‘grassroots’ pro-nuclear group has tow directors both of whom are directors at Stonehaven Group Holdings Limited. Stonehaven‘s lobbying work for clients includes EDF (a major French nuclear energy company that owns Torness power station in Scotland and stands to benefit from lifting the nuclear ban). Who are they? Pandora Lefroy has worked at Stonehaven for over ten years and is currently the firm’s managing partner. Rachel Wolf is the chief executive of Public First (a consultancy firm acquired by Stonehaven in 2025), and … Continue reading This 21st Century ‘Pandora’ represents the unreliable French nuclear industry in Scotland but pretends to be grassroots

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Enfield Measles Outbreak – Is it insensitive to want border control for Scotland when ‘UK’ and Spain lose WHO status as being measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake?

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Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. In the Daily Mirror two days ago: A Victorian disease that had been eliminated in the UK has returned in 50 council areas – and a new map has highlighted the low vaccine-rate areas where it is spreading quickly. Measles infections have now been confirmed by lab tests in every region of England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, mainly among children under 10. Enfield in London appears to be the epicentre of the current outbreak, with 80 confirmed measles cases so far this year. That includes 35 new cases since the last … Continue reading Enfield Measles Outbreak – Is it insensitive to want border control for Scotland when ‘UK’ and Spain lose WHO status as being measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake?

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Ed Miliband to change law so that new nuclear power stations can be build closer to home despite clear evidence they bring increased breast cancer for mature women and childhood leukaemia

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In the Guardian today: Miliband reveals plans that could mean nuclear power plants built near homes Changes to regulation to speed up development could also make it easier to build on sensitive nature sites. Ed Miliband has unveiled plans that could make it easier to build nuclear power plants closer to homes and on sensitive nature sites, as he attempts to speed up the development of energy infrastructure. The energy secretary set out changes to nuclear regulation, to be carried out this year, which would mean a “win-win for building critical infrastructure while protecting nature and the environment”. However, ministers … Continue reading Ed Miliband to change law so that new nuclear power stations can be build closer to home despite clear evidence they bring increased breast cancer for mature women and childhood leukaemia

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Some people need to think more about what they are singing when they sing ‘God save the King

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  Jimmy Saville was also a favoured celebrity of Margaret Thatcher, the former Tory PM, as it was reported that they had a “close, friendly relationship during the 1980s, which included Saville visiting her at Chequers, her country residence, on multiple occasions”. (Saville’s charity work and his celerity popularity made him a magnet for politicians like Thatcher and also some others to try to leech of and so then try to benefit from his ‘fame’ and his assumed public popularity, his ‘charity’ work being an obvious cover to try to hide his unsavoury, despicable and salacious behaviour that he subjected … Continue reading Some people need to think more about what they are singing when they sing ‘God save the King

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Scottish Labour receives donations worth over half a million in just the last three months including £100 000 from English Multi-millionaire once opposed to nuclear energy

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By Liz S I see that democracy is still up for sale. It has been reported that: “Scottish Labour has reported receiving significant donations in the run-up to the May 2026 Holyrood election, with over £550,000 recorded in the final quarter of 2025 alone” “Billionaire businessmen Sandy and James Easdale are among the biggest donors, with a £150,000 cash donation recorded in December 2025 via their property firm, Dalglen, linked to them. “Donations from trade unions continue to support the party, including £5,300 from GMB, £6,000 from UNISON, £6500 from Unite, £4000 from USDAW , £700 from TSA, £700 from Community Union and … Continue reading Scottish Labour receives donations worth over half a million in just the last three months including £100 000 from English Multi-millionaire once opposed to nuclear energy

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Why is a £5.75m Scot Gov investment not newsworthy at all but a £0.25m Lottery Fund grant is?

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By stewartb The main Scotland page of the BBC News website today (Saturday 14 March) has a story with this headline: ‘Historic Borders bridge secures £250,000 for restoration project’. It’s been ‘elevated’ from the South of Scotland local news page and reports on the awarding of a National Lottery Fund grant. The Scottish Government issued a press statement on Friday 13 March with the heading: ‘Driving growth on Scotland’s islands – Funding to create jobs and strengthen local economies.’ This is not reported on the main Scotland page of the BBC News website. Indeed it doesn’t even figure in the local Highlands & … Continue reading Why is a £5.75m Scot Gov investment not newsworthy at all but a £0.25m Lottery Fund grant is?