Author: johnrobertson834
Retired Professor of Media Politics
Not-for-profit independent political analysis
As the Peter Murrell case is extended beyond the next Holyrood election who was surprised and who do we think is making sure it is being well-milked for that purpose?
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details Professor John Robertson OBA As we heard Peter Murrell may not return to court until after Holyrood election (Herald 22 August 2025), many would have been thinking they knew this would happen, as the case is further milked for political ends. Then we ponder who is making sure this happens, perhaps in pursuit of what they would call ‘national security?’ The Express in February 2025 had: Nicola Sturgeon was CIA agent who stoked gender wars to foil Scexit, claims top nationalist – Former diplomat Craig Murray suggests that … Continue reading As the Peter Murrell case is extended beyond the next Holyrood election who was surprised and who do we think is making sure it is being well-milked for that purpose?
As they surge to 30% of all cars why SUVs are 8 times more likely to kill a child and the limits of devolution mean the Scottish Government can do little about it
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details By Professor John Robertson OBA,In the Guardian today: The number of giant cars in England’s cities has increased tenfold in recent years, according to researchers, who warn the vehicles are taking up excessive public space and posing a threat to public safety. Analysis published by Clean Cities has found SUVs have gone from 3% to 30% of existing cars in the past two decades. In London, the number of SUVs has increased from about 80,000 in 2002 to about 800,000 in 2023. Campaigners are calling for Paris-style parking charges to … Continue reading As they surge to 30% of all cars why SUVs are 8 times more likely to kill a child and the limits of devolution mean the Scottish Government can do little about it
Dr Kennedy BMA (Anti-Scotland) on Herald frontpage to hide this fact – ‘Controversial’ physician associates more than twice as common in NHS England than in NHS Scotland
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details By Professor John Robertson OBA, The role of physician associates [PA] is at the centre of controversy after the BMA sued the GMC over how they are to be described. Today, the BMA in Scotland, ‘top’ (not at all) doctor, Iain Kennedy, is on the front page of the Herald, to attack SNP ministers over the use of physician associates (PA)s in Scotland. What are PAs? Physician associates (PAs) are medically trained [but not full MD training], generalist healthcare professionals who work with doctors in multidisciplinary … Continue reading Dr Kennedy BMA (Anti-Scotland) on Herald frontpage to hide this fact – ‘Controversial’ physician associates more than twice as common in NHS England than in NHS Scotland
News you won’t hear – more police officers than there were last year and more than there were under Labour despite a 22% fall in crime
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details Professor John Robertson OBA From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: August 2025, published today: There were 16,427 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Scotland on 30 June 2025. This was 193 (+1.2%) more officers compared to the position on 31 March 2007, and 220 (+1.4%) more than on 30 June 2024. https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-august-2025/pages/statistics-on-community-safely/ Police officer staffing has been maintained despite the crime level in Scotland falling from 385 509 in 2007/2008 when the SNP took over, to 299 111 last year, a 22% fall. Continue reading News you won’t hear – more police officers than there were last year and more than there were under Labour despite a 22% fall in crime
News you won’t hear – massive reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to assault and assault with a knife, in last 10 years
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details Professor John Robertson OBA From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: August 2025, published today: Fall in emergency hospital admissions due to assault since 2014-15. In 2023-24, there were 1,691 emergency hospital admissions due to assault, including 438 due to assault with a sharp object. These were, respectively, 33% and 18% lower than in 2014-15. https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-august-2025/pages/statistics-on-community-safely/ Continue reading News you won’t hear – massive reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to assault and assault with a knife, in last 10 years
News you won’t hear – fires fall by 10% to lowest in 10 years
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details Professor John Robertson OBA From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: August 2025, published today: Number of fires fell 10% in the last year. In 2023-24, there were 24,060 fires in Scotland, down 10% on 2022-23 and the lowest in the last ten years. There were 42 fire fatalities in 2023-24, down from 43 in 2022-23 and around the average for the last decade. https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-august-2025/pages/statistics-on-community-safely/ Continue reading News you won’t hear – fires fall by 10% to lowest in 10 years
Auditor General Stephen Boyle accuses Scottish Government of telling complete idiots not to build houses on land liable to flood as global warming increases the risks
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. What do you notice in the above SEPA map of flood risk in Ayr? There’s barely a house at risk. For centuries, Scots have not built on flood plains knowing how heavy rain can be and how big our rivers can get, but today, via BBC Scotland, Auditor General Stephen Boyle is at it again, this time trying to blame the Scottish Government for not putting in place protection for idiots who insist on building on flood plains. The Sepa website tells you where there is an increased risk due to … Continue reading Auditor General Stephen Boyle accuses Scottish Government of telling complete idiots not to build houses on land liable to flood as global warming increases the risks
Not just increasing breast cancer rates among mature women but now ‘terrifying and almost unbuildable’ – Sizewell C nuclear power station does not seem to worry Scottish Labour
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details Professor John Robertson OBA Once again, thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. From the FT, yesterday: The design of the UK’s latest nuclear power station is “terrifying”, “phenomenally complex” and “almost unbuildable”, according to Henri Proglio, a former head of EDF, the French state-owned utility behind the project. One month after the final green light for Sizewell C, 1,700 workers are on site in Suffolk, on the UK’s east coast, preparing the sandy marshland for two enormous reactors that will eventually generate enough electricity … Continue reading Not just increasing breast cancer rates among mature women but now ‘terrifying and almost unbuildable’ – Sizewell C nuclear power station does not seem to worry Scottish Labour
In NHS Wales A&E after decades of Labour-control, three times as many wait more than 12 hours, twice as many wait more than 8 hours and nearly one third more wait more than 4 hours yet it’s ‘dangerous’ here?
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details By stewartb Imagine the following was happening in Scotland? Imagine if the British Labour Party and its ally, the Daily Record could lay blame for the following on the Scottish Government! Source: StatsWales (https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Waiting-Times/emergency-department ) NHS Wales waiting times in major emergency departments during July 2025: Meeting the 4 hour standard = 54.1% Attendances spending over 8 hours in A&E = 24.3% Attendances spending over 12 hours in A&E = 14.9%. The Royal College of Emergency (RCEM) commented on these latest figures in a press release on August … Continue reading In NHS Wales A&E after decades of Labour-control, three times as many wait more than 12 hours, twice as many wait more than 8 hours and nearly one third more wait more than 4 hours yet it’s ‘dangerous’ here?
Talking-up Scotland 