Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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NHS Scotland has 46% more psychiatrists than NHS England, sees 82% on time, but their convener appears on Reporting Scotland Down with only 4 days to go to shout ‘CRISIS!’

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mental state as physical health. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Holyrood election, the Royal College say the current system is in crisis and that they’re prepared to work with all parties to improve services. I’ll spare you full detail of the supposed current failures. Here’s why this is just another trade union sharing the same interests as BBC Reporting Scotland, undermining the SNP Government at this, for them, perfect time, is not true. Crisis in performance? Nope, see: Crisis in staffing? Nope, see: From BBC Scotland in 2024 from the Royal College themselves: The cost of bringing in locum psychiatrists on emergency contracts … Continue reading NHS Scotland has 46% more psychiatrists than NHS England, sees 82% on time, but their convener appears on Reporting Scotland Down with only 4 days to go to shout ‘CRISIS!’

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‘Scotland lacks powers to shut shops linked to organised crime gangs’ because it’s not independent – one more example for voters

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In the Herald today, not the above but: Scotland lacks powers to shut shops linked to organised crime gangs – Scotland is being left exposed to organised crime on its high streets because authorities lack the legal powers to shut down rogue shops, ministers have been warned. Trading standards teams are concerned that criminal gangs are operating out of seemingly legitimate businesses — selling illegal tobacco, counterfeit goods and laundering cash — yet in Scotland enforcement officers cannot use the same closure powers available elsewhere in the UK to close them down. Within its limited powers, what is the Scottish … Continue reading ‘Scotland lacks powers to shut shops linked to organised crime gangs’ because it’s not independent – one more example for voters

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Birmingham gang dealing new more powerful drugs across Northern Scotland reveal their willingness to kill in pursuit of trade

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A middle of the day exchange of gunfire, yesterday in Birmingham between the ‘Captain’ and ‘Frankie’ County Lines gangs fighting over territory – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybfZbacJy4M I recognized the name ‘Frankie’. They get around. From the Ross-shire Journal, in November 2024: County Lines drug gangs reach as far north as Alness, police confirm. THE Highlands are grappling with the grim reality of so-called County Lines drug operations, with 10 separate gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals in its capital city. Police Scotland’s Highlands and Islands Division has identified the growing footprint of organised crime over the past 18 months, with devastating consequences for the community. The criminal … Continue reading Birmingham gang dealing new more powerful drugs across Northern Scotland reveal their willingness to kill in pursuit of trade

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Prioritising citizens over corporations – Scottish Government sets a precedent for other nations but you won’t hear of it

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According to Secret Glasgow on 24 April 2026, the above and: Global attention is currently fixed on the Scottish Government, which has successfully introduced an Act that sets a precedent most nations have yet to follow. Although it hasn’t dominated local headlines, international media and social platforms are praising the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 for its commitment to prioritising citizens over corporations. It’s official, the Community Wealth Building Bill has passed Royal Assent, and is now an Act.1 It’s getting, as pointed out, no media attention. What is Community Wealth Building? There are those on the left who would still undermine the SNP … Continue reading Prioritising citizens over corporations – Scottish Government sets a precedent for other nations but you won’t hear of it

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Attacker of two Jewish men in London had earlier tried to murder a Muslim but typically duplicitous UK media hide that in just the same way they hide essential facts from Scotland – we need out of this

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Readers may feel we’re straying into an area not directly related to our mission but as Liz S points out this is another example of the duplicity of the UK media that we must surely want to leave behind. By Liz S Much of the media and the Met Police are obscuring something else that happened on the same day a man attacked, as in stabbed, two Jewish men in London. Most of the media and the Met police are promoting this as a anti semitic attack and are only referring to two Jewish men being attacked. However it appear that on the same day the suspect was … Continue reading Attacker of two Jewish men in London had earlier tried to murder a Muslim but typically duplicitous UK media hide that in just the same way they hide essential facts from Scotland – we need out of this

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Innovative high capital cost projects commonly overrun in costs and time but only the ferries in Scotland can be exploited by the ruthless hypocrites

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It’s been ages, two days, since the last ferry fiasco story, likely to affect the voting behaviour of almost no voters of course but you can be sure there will be a big one on Wednesday night, maybe even on the day of the vote? Look and laugh. What will you not hear? Well-known examples 1. Hinkley Point C (UK nuclear power) 2. Crossrail (London rail project) 3. Boeing 787 Dreamliner (aviation) 4. Airbus A380 (aviation) 5. Sydney Opera House (Australia) **6. California High-Speed Rail What about the MOD? UK Ministry of Defence examples Ajax reconnaissance vehicle 👉 A classic … Continue reading Innovative high capital cost projects commonly overrun in costs and time but only the ferries in Scotland can be exploited by the ruthless hypocrites

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19 years of the SNP in charge and UK youth unemployment is shocking 55% higher than in Scotland which has one of the lowest rates in Western Europe

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The above, presented as applying to the UK as a whole, formed part of a BBC Breakfast report this morning including these comments: Being out of work or education between the ages of 16 and 24 can have serious long-term consequences for people’s health, employment and finances later in life. A new study suggests that nearly one million young people are currently not in education, employment or training across the UK (sic) The latest, January 2026, figure for Scotland is 10.2%. 15.8% is 54.9% higher. https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/l2qpgqbx/economy-people-and-skills-january-2026.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com In a wider European context, Scotland has one of the lowest rates in Western … Continue reading 19 years of the SNP in charge and UK youth unemployment is shocking 55% higher than in Scotland which has one of the lowest rates in Western Europe

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The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ’Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey share a close and longstanding trade relationship, and industries on both sides welcome the First Minister’s leadership on this issue’.

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By stewartb I’m pleased that independent whisky distillers in Scotland will benefit from the removal of trade tariffs on their exports to the USA.  (As someone who greatly enjoys a single malt, I’ve long since shunned for the most part the brands of the big corporates in favour of Scotland’s burgeoning independent sector.) The role of FM Swinney in achieving this change in US policy seems to be ‘triggering’ Unionist politicians. Mr Swinney’s release of the text of the message he received from the US President is not going to help Unionist blood pressure! Here is some additional, background information … Continue reading The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ’Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey share a close and longstanding trade relationship, and industries on both sides welcome the First Minister’s leadership on this issue’.