Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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England running scared of independence, THEIR independence that is as UK Parliament petition fails to attract?

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Important: This a UK-wide petition sent all constituency offices across the UK. Launched on 9 June 2026, nearly 4 months ago, the above UK Parliament approved petition reveals some enthusiasm for English Independence but only really in Scotland. What are they afraid of? By Liz S A petition online that someone has created for a “Referendum on English Independence”. What is especially delicious is some of the main reasoning behind its instigation. That reasoning behind this petition is sourced from what UK politicians and UK media keep claiming to be true in relation to Scotland, that is that spending (by … Continue reading England running scared of independence, THEIR independence that is as UK Parliament petition fails to attract?

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If England has ‘more than TWO MILLION homes at risk of flooding’ how many will Scotland have?

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In the Guardian today: More than two million people in England are unaware their properties are at risk of flooding, as the UK braces for a wet and stormy start to the winter, according to the Environment Agency. Experts say the next three months are more likely than usual to be wet and windy – due to a combination of large-scale weather patterns and the “subtle” impact of a supercharged El Niño – increasing the risk of flooding. However, the EA warned on Wednesday that people in a third of the six million properties most at risk of flooding are … Continue reading If England has ‘more than TWO MILLION homes at risk of flooding’ how many will Scotland have?

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To ‘address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing’ in Scotland, might accent recognition be more useful than facial recognition

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“My advice to the Scottish Parliament continues to be that Police Scotland should have proportionate and equitable access to such technologies in the future.” He added: “This will be important in responding to the threats posed by serious and organised crime groups, for counterterrorism purposes, to address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing, and as part of a strategic policing response to the national emergency of male violence towards women and girls in Scotland. https://futurescot.com/scotlands-biometrics-commissioner-renews-call-for-legislation-to-govern-use-of-live-facial-recognition-tech/  Given the known origins of County Lines enforcers operating in Scotland – Newcastle, West Midlands, London, Liverpool, Yorkshire, I feel sure their accents … Continue reading To ‘address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing’ in Scotland, might accent recognition be more useful than facial recognition

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Healthy food – If they try to tell you it’s just the same in English schools, here’s your answer

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As Glasgow Live and BBC Scotland announce the above, they will not be telling you this: Shocking healthy school food breaches in 3 out of 4 schools in England but Scotland’s schools stick to rules after legal ruling and integrated inspections In the Guardian 24 August 2026, the above and: Three-quarters of secondary schools in England are breaking the rules on food offered to pupils by serving chips, burgers and hash browns too often – and sweets and crisps at breakfast time, according to a report. “Shocking” breaches of school food standards have been exposed on Monday, in a new analysis of the food … Continue reading Healthy food – If they try to tell you it’s just the same in English schools, here’s your answer

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When they tell you there’s no evidence for Swinney’s radical plan to merge Scotland’s health boards, here’s what to say

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On BBC Scotland, today, the above headline claim and: Leading doctors are calling on the Scottish government to withdraw its plans to drastically reduce the number of health boards. The new chairwoman of BMA Scotland, Dr Nora Murray-Cavanagh, said the proposal to cut the number from 14 to just two would be costly and time consuming – and that there was no clear evidence it would benefit patients. So, the BMA Scotland branch is a very part-time GP and union organiser heavily distracted by politics, who, with the best will in the world, will be hard-pushed to top any committed … Continue reading When they tell you there’s no evidence for Swinney’s radical plan to merge Scotland’s health boards, here’s what to say

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If they tell you there’s ‘sheer terror’ in Scotland too, here’s your answer

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Across the BBC in the UK today, the above warnings but all quiet in the media operating in Scotland. So, if someone tells you it’ll be just the same in Scotland or if, as is common, they think the above covers Scotland two, tell them: First, more than ten times as many, per head, early release prisoners were being recalled in England & Wales due to half the ‘probation officer’ staffing in Scotland From the Guardian in February 2026: Record numbers of offenders are being recalled to prison in England and Wales with union officials claiming that some are deliberately breaking the terms … Continue reading If they tell you there’s ‘sheer terror’ in Scotland too, here’s your answer

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Crowdfunder thanks

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Talking-up Scotland Crowdfunder September 2026 I’ll leave the crowdfunder open but, with some considerable personal relief, I won’t be pushing it in your faces again, in blog or social media posts, until next February. I’m really grateful to the 260 or so who have helped and, in particular, for the many kind, heart-warming and morale-boosting comments. I know that many of the 15 000 or so who follow are in difficult times financially. Please do not feel bad. I understand. Finally, I must thank the many other readers who chose not to support for their refreshingly sober assessment of the … Continue reading Crowdfunder thanks

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Next time you’re told the Scottish Government is failing to replace inflammable cladding here’s the evidence, six times for emphasis, why it’s not necessary in Scotland

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In the National today, the above, and a report based entirely on events in England with no mention of the somewhat obvious fact that there have never been towering infernos in Scotland despite 6 tower-block fires in the years since Grenfell. What might they have mentioned? This kind of thing: In the Herald 28 April 2026, Martin Williams has: 10 buildings in Scotland have had emergency safety measures put in place after being judged an “immediate risk to human life” — yet not a single block has been declared fully repaired under the national cladding programme, nearly nine years after … Continue reading Next time you’re told the Scottish Government is failing to replace inflammable cladding here’s the evidence, six times for emphasis, why it’s not necessary in Scotland

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For 69 years, a nuclear plant ‘spewed radiation’ over nearby Preston Lancashire and over the border into Scotland but unlike in the USA no one compensated for higher rates of brain, lung, and other cancers

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Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 The main points: Solstice Advanced Materials agreed to pay $80 million to settle lawsuits alleging that its Metropolis, Illinois uranium-conversion plant released radioactive material for decades, contaminating properties and contributing to cancers.⁠ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe The plant and the claims The Metropolis Works facility, built in the 1950s, is the only U.S. plant that converts milled uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), the feedstock for nuclear fuel.⁠https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe Residents, the City of Metropolis, and Massac … Continue reading For 69 years, a nuclear plant ‘spewed radiation’ over nearby Preston Lancashire and over the border into Scotland but unlike in the USA no one compensated for higher rates of brain, lung, and other cancers

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UK Labour promises a tiny 2.2% increase in tree planting in a sad effort to catch John Swinney’s 35 million tree lead

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Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 In the Guardian today: Half a million trees will be planted across England in the next three years to protect against extreme weather, the environment secretary, Angela Eagle, will pledge on Wednesday morning. Mayors, local authorities, charities and grassroots groups will be given new funding and responsibilities for restoring natural landscapes such as wetlands, river edges and meadows, which can provide natural flood management and reduce the damage done by droughts. The … Continue reading UK Labour promises a tiny 2.2% increase in tree planting in a sad effort to catch John Swinney’s 35 million tree lead