Scotland uniquely has no commonalities with Israel

By Professor John Robertson OBA Why have I resigned from the SNP and joined the Scottish Socialist Party? That image of Angus Robertson with the Depute Ambassador of Israel and her claim that they had discussed ‘unique commonalities’ between Israel and Scotland, has been a tipping point for me and days later I resigned my membership of the SNP. I don’t think I was alone. I know Angus has not reiterated those suggestions of commonalities but neither has he rejected them. Indeed, he has defended himself by pointing to Scottish Labour’s clear associations with Israel as if that somehow makes it … Continue reading Scotland uniquely has no commonalities with Israel

Never argue with stupid people?

Anonymous Some people against independence know full well what is really going on. However some are either too afraid, too lazy or too selfish to want to see anything happen (Change) that they think will change things for them personally. (But yes some are indeed also either too stupid or/and way too complacent to then be content to remain ignorant of what’s (really) what in respect to Scotland and also the UK ). They, as doubters who live in Scotland are collectively either: a) Convinced that things will be worse with Scottish independence (but with many of them having the absolute minimum , if any, knowledge to confirm this as … Continue reading Never argue with stupid people?

“I wonder, has some other country solved its knife crime problem? I seem to remember Anas mentioning something about Glasgow but…..SNP……

Anonymous Knife crime is now greatly reduced because of an initiative in Scotland to treat it as a health issue. Surely , as a successful initiative, this is worthy of England emulating as they have a serious problem with deaths from Knife crimes. Well England will now , via Keir Starmer and Idris Elba, launch a new anti Knife crime coalition. “The coalition will work with experts to develop an understanding of what causes young people to be dragged into knife crime” The Daily Mail promotes that it is to “tackle a nationwide stabbing epidemic” Elba said “We need to tackle the root causes of knife crime, not just the symptoms,” He … Continue reading “I wonder, has some other country solved its knife crime problem? I seem to remember Anas mentioning something about Glasgow but…..SNP……

One fisherman’s cancer death six years ago was not because of a decline in the number going to sea

BBC Scotland’s Ian Hamilton and Daniel Bennett, today: Fishermen are being warned they are putting themselves at risk of preventable illness and even death by delaying seeking medical advice. Amanda Nithavrianakis, whose skipper husband John died of cancer at the age of 52, [2018] believes his attitude of self-reliance and toughness contributed to the delay in his diagnosis and treatment. The above is then connected with this: The number of active fishermen in Scotland has declined to about 3,800, according to a 2023 report by the Scottish government. Not mentioned of course: Most recent figures show that in 2023, Scottish-registered … Continue reading One fisherman’s cancer death six years ago was not because of a decline in the number going to sea

As BBC Scotland headlines a single adoption breakdown, the ACTUAL [good] news is that only Scotland continues to have more prospective adopters than children waiting

No exploitative images of sad weans here By Professor John Robertson OBA Today headlining across BBC Scotland from Susanne Allan and under a concerned face: A woman has been paid an out-of-court settlement from a council after her adoption of a two-year-old boy broke down. Karen Maguire won the six-figure payout from South Lanarkshire Council last year after her lawyer argued it failed to provide her with enough background information on the child and did not support her during the placement. Once more, another dose of misery first thing (followed by sick fishermen today), with no facts, no context to help … Continue reading As BBC Scotland headlines a single adoption breakdown, the ACTUAL [good] news is that only Scotland continues to have more prospective adopters than children waiting

Classic case of the BBC Scotland cringe as ‘Phenomenal show’ of solidarity in city’s George Square is presented as ‘angry scenes’ between ‘rivals’

How the Guardian saw yesterday’s events in Glasgow and how most us felt about Scotland’s demonstrable strength against fascism, in sharp contrast to the power of the extreme right in parts of England, Wales and Norther Ireland, but for BBC Scotland, it was this shameful attempt to tell us ‘You’re no different!’: Such was the scale of the fascist presence, there were only two arrests. See, also, how BBC Scotland frame the events, from the right, the extreme right to distort the balance: Note how few police officers. Note which way they face. These people are not just ‘rivals’ equivalent … Continue reading Classic case of the BBC Scotland cringe as ‘Phenomenal show’ of solidarity in city’s George Square is presented as ‘angry scenes’ between ‘rivals’

Scotland’s economy harmed the most by Brexit-induced levelling down UK-wide research reveals

By stewartbNew research to determine the costs/benefits to UK nations and regions of Brexit isfeatured in the latest newsletter of UK in a Changing Europe, a think tank based at King’sCollege London and funded by UK Research and Innovation. The study finds that: ‘Brexit has contributed to the equalisation of regional inequality– not by levelling up poorer regions but hitting richer regions more severely. Thisform of levelling up is rather destructive since it implies levelling up only in relativeterms, all while (sic) making the whole of the UK poorer.’ (A summary of research findings can be found here: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/levelling-up-by-levelling-down-the-economic-and-political-costs-of-brexit/?mc_cid=d20add413a&mc_eid=724ea8d3d6 . … Continue reading Scotland’s economy harmed the most by Brexit-induced levelling down UK-wide research reveals

In the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum the BBC decide to ‘celebrate’ NO’s win

Anonymous Next week on BBC there is a two part two hour documentary, that was commissioned by the BBC called “Salmond and Sturgeon: A troubled Union”. They, the BBC, are promoting it on their website via their BBC Media centre online section where they say that it, as an article , is: “To be broadcast in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum, the series includes contributions from; First Minister, John Swinney: former First Minister, Humza Yousaf: Liz Lloyd, Nicola Sturgeon’s former Chief of Staff: George Osborne, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Geoff Aberdein, Alex Salmond’s former Chief of Staff”. So “in the run-up … Continue reading In the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum the BBC decide to ‘celebrate’ NO’s win

Herald writer suggests Tartan Army needs to become nastier, more misogynistic, homophobic and racist to encourage the team to fight harder for victory

In a report opening with the above image of Hungary’s ultra fans – a group from a Putin-supporting, almost one party state where violent racism, homophobia, misogyny, and anti-democratic tendencies are the dominant values of its government, the Herald’s Chief Football Writer, Matthew Lindsay, notes only that they ‘out-supported’ the Scotland supporters. By out-supporting he means, we have to assume, they roared unacceptable abuse at the Scotland team and supporters that might have shamed 1970s supporters in the UK. Before he gets to those so committed and effective Hungary fans, Lindsay praises the Rangers supporting Union Bears for comparable support. … Continue reading Herald writer suggests Tartan Army needs to become nastier, more misogynistic, homophobic and racist to encourage the team to fight harder for victory

How a Scottish Labour government’s end in 2007 let the SNP put an end to the risk of a Grenfell in Scotland

By Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today: Grenfell campaigners have called on Tony Blair to apologise and take responsibility for decisions made by his government that contributed to the fire that killed 72 people. The former prime minister said on Thursday that tragedies such as the west London fire, which came after years of missed opportunities to regulate combustible cladding, were a result of unavoidable mistakes. The final report of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire was published this week and included several criticisms of decisions made under Blair’s premiership. Stephen Mackenzie, a fire security consultant, said of Blair’s remarks: “It’s … Continue reading How a Scottish Labour government’s end in 2007 let the SNP put an end to the risk of a Grenfell in Scotland