Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Music festival-goers in England asked to pay TWELVE times the fare for a ferry crossing barely a QUARTER of the distance AND have less fun

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From Isle of Wight County Press yesterday, the above and: Conservative MP Joe Robertson has taken to social media to blast Isle of Wight ferry firm Wightlink after spotting a return vehicle ferry fare costing more than £500 during the Isle of Wight Festival. The Isle of Wight East MP said the operator had “smashed the £500 barrier” by charging £511.50 for a return car journey across The Solent. “It’s an absolute insult,” he wrote. “So, it’s around the Isle of Wight Festival time, but £500 shouldn’t be allowed at any time — and we know the ferry companies are … Continue reading Music festival-goers in England asked to pay TWELVE times the fare for a ferry crossing barely a QUARTER of the distance AND have less fun

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Scottish Labour collapsed because Anas was so unpopular not because Sir Keir was

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The Guardian‘s supposed Scottish correspondents, Libby Brooks and Severin Carrell, today, repeat this myth: Starmer’s unpopularity was insurmountable for Scottish Labour – and a boon for Reform – Long before the final votes were counted in Scotland, veteran Labour politicians said it was a defeat made in Downing Street. When the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, strode into the Glasgow count arena on Friday afternoon flanked by sombre-faced activists, the scene was a mirror image to the same venue in 2024, when his resurgent party won 36 seats from the Scottish National party, playing a significant part in Keir Starmer’s landslide … Continue reading Scottish Labour collapsed because Anas was so unpopular not because Sir Keir was

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Newborn health at real risk near nuclear plants but Scottish Labour double down on new plants in Scotland

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The Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) is located near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California, on approximately 1,000 acres along the Pacific coast. It is the state’s largest single power station and the only operational nuclear plant in California following the 2013 closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. From the Santa Barbara Independent, yesterday: Just weeks after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a 20-year license extension for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, scrutiny surrounding the human health impacts from radiation have emerged from both academia and Diablo opponents. A recent Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analysis found higher cancer mortality rates in U.S. counties located closer to nuclear plants, while a nonprofit-led report questioned whether decades of Diablo Canyon’s operation may be tied to worsening infant health in surrounding San Luis Obispo County. Federal regulators and health officials, however, maintain that radiation exposure from the plant … Continue reading Newborn health at real risk near nuclear plants but Scottish Labour double down on new plants in Scotland

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‘The teen knife death massacre’ – Does the Daily Record actually have a ‘new low?’

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The evil that never sleeps – the Daily Record ignores the election (Do they know Anas is gubbed?) and repeats an old story thanks to an intervention in the national debate by ‘Kenzo’ (17), above to get started right away undermining the ‘new’ SNP Government. Why is it mince? Continue reading ‘The teen knife death massacre’ – Does the Daily Record actually have a ‘new low?’

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Latest poll today of only those likely to vote puts SNP up at 41% with massive lead

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From pollsters Find out Now, the above and: We ask respondents how likely they are to vote in the Scottish Parliament election on 7th May. For those who give a 7 or above, we then ask their vote choice If a respondent answers ‘Don’t know’ they see an additional question, prompting them again to give an answer. If they then give a valid vote choice they are included in the final calculation, but if they answer ‘Don’t know’ again (or ‘Would not vote’) they are excluded from the final headline calculation. Source: https://findoutnow.co.uk/blog/scotland-vi/ Find Out Now is registered with the … Continue reading Latest poll today of only those likely to vote puts SNP up at 41% with massive lead

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Public Health Professor’s message for Scottish Labour’s nuclear plans – ‘I personally would not live near a nuclear power plant’

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From Boston 25 News yesterday: All kinds of cancer’: New study will assess radiation risk from old nuclear plant in Plymouth – Seven years ago, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station stopped generating electricity, but that doesn’t mean concerns about radiation exposure have gone away. A new study is about to get underway to determine just how great the cancer risk is along the South Shore and Cape Cod. The views along Priscilla Beach in Plymouth are beautiful, but residents believe there is something ugly in the air. Plymouth resident Joanne Geary said, “So many people have had health issues, all … Continue reading Public Health Professor’s message for Scottish Labour’s nuclear plans – ‘I personally would not live near a nuclear power plant’

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Play this to those hesitating to vote. Let them see the words too

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Lyrics: We’ll be singing, we’ll be singing If we get out and vote for our own We’ll be singing, we’ll be singing When we remember all we’ve sown Pulling thousands out of poverty Sending the same to learn for free Offering a hand to the weak and the sick We begin the path to the Scotland we want We’ll be singing, we’ll be singing If we get out and vote for our own We’ll be singing, we’ll be singing When we remember all we’ve sown To each according to their need From each according to our abilities Paying that wee … Continue reading Play this to those hesitating to vote. Let them see the words too

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Businessmen and wealthy donors ARE bankrolling Scottish politics but only the Unionist parties

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The Ferret has been good recently. I’ve shared their latest reports but this one smells a bit, like some of their earlier ones, of Scottish Labour residual loyalty and of Unionism. They offer us this: before going on to name Robin MacGeachy: Companies he owns or co-owns handed £910,000 to the Scottish Liberal Democrats and £700,000 to Scottish Labour. This represents nearly half of all of the Lib Dems’ donations, and nearly a quarter of Labour’s. and Sandy Easdale: The Easdale brothers, who are among Scotland’s richest men, gave £150,000 to Scottish Labour via one of their firms. The bus … Continue reading Businessmen and wealthy donors ARE bankrolling Scottish politics but only the Unionist parties

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Complaints to GPs shocking 45% less common in Scotland than in England meant 6 000 fewer unhappy with the service last year

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From the Daily Mail today: More than 134,000 written complaints about GPs were made to NHS England last year, with communication issues, staff attitudes and treatment errors driving the deluge. The data shows record numbers of patients are so unhappy with their experience of services that they have lodged their concerns – marking a 10 per cent rise since 2023-24. It comes after a damning survey revealed that GP surgeries are forcing the elderly to book appointments online, against NHS rules – which say there must be a range of booking methods. The data, published by NHS Digital, shows 134,501 complaints were made … Continue reading Complaints to GPs shocking 45% less common in Scotland than in England meant 6 000 fewer unhappy with the service last year