Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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County lines gang members who ‘have been through the justice system in England’ target vulnerable women in Highlands months before they do same in England?

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 I watched the above. We are, technically, still in Britain. All of these tragic events took place in England. There was not one mention of Scotland. There should be. Here’s why: County lines gang members who ‘have been through the justice system in England’ target vulnerable women in Highlands months before they do same in England? From BBC Leicestershire 12 March 2026, the above and: A youth worker has warned girls in a market town are being lured into drug running by gangs operating across county … Continue reading County lines gang members who ‘have been through the justice system in England’ target vulnerable women in Highlands months before they do same in England?

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Explosion risk in almost empty Arran ferry gas escape was essentially zero

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 BBC Scotland yesterday: A faulty valve on a CalMac ferry led to a sudden and uncontrolled release of highly flammable methane gas last summer, BBC Scotland News has learned.The operator’s investigation found that 700kg of the gas – enough to fill a four-bedroomed house – was vented from the side of MV Glen Sannox over the space of 12 minutes while it was carrying 82 passengers from Arran to the mainland. So much methane was released that some of it was sucked into a … Continue reading Explosion risk in almost empty Arran ferry gas escape was essentially zero

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DEAR PRIME MINISTER, ARE YOU AWARE…?

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 At Prime Minister’s Questions today, Chris Law asked Andy Burnham about Scotland’s right to determine its own constitutional future. The Prime Minister referred to the Good Friday Agreement and its conditions to hold a Border Poll for the people of Northern Ireland. But of Scotland, he said: “I am not aware that there is a majority of public support for another referendum.” So let’s make sure he becomes aware. We are asking people across Scotland — and anyone who … Continue reading DEAR PRIME MINISTER, ARE YOU AWARE…?

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Retired Heidie explains how the Pisa system has been gamed

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 By Alasdair Macdonald I remember in the first few years of PISA and looking at the samples of students in the countries which were ‘top of the league’. These countries presented no students who had additional needs. Others presented mainly children outwith the two lowest socioeconomic deciles. With regard to children from Scotland, a number of the questions were on topics which were no longer in the curricula in Scottish education. Much is known of the concomitant factors which lead to higher outcomes. For … Continue reading Retired Heidie explains how the Pisa system has been gamed

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BBC Scotland covertly interview a secret Tory donor, former Tory candidate and now still a Tory supporter

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 By Liz S The BBC’s (hidden and not publicised) Corrections and Clarifications section on their BBC website has finally added this : “Mornings” “BBC Radio Scotland, 30 July 2026“ “In an item on the social care system in Scotland, our presenter spoke to Dr Robert Kilgour, chairman of Renaissance Care, who operate 19 care homes across Scotland. Dr Kilgour was being interviewed to draw on his experience as someone who runs care homes across the country and was introduced accordingly. While the programme itself included a … Continue reading BBC Scotland covertly interview a secret Tory donor, former Tory candidate and now still a Tory supporter

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90% of those at risk of opioid overdose now supplied with Scottish Government’s word-leading reversal kit to keep drugs deaths falling and hospital load plummeting in face of English drug gang plague

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From National naloxone programme Scotland – Quarterly monitoring bulletin Quarterly monitoring bulletin January to March (Q4) 2025/26, published yesterday, the above graph and: This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on the number of take-home naloxone kits issued by the National Naloxone Programme (NNP) in Scotland (January to March 2025/26). Figures are presented separately for kits issued from community-based services (mainly specialist drug treatment and non-drug treatment services), kits issued in prisons at the point of liberation, kits dispensed via community prescription, … Continue reading 90% of those at risk of opioid overdose now supplied with Scottish Government’s word-leading reversal kit to keep drugs deaths falling and hospital load plummeting in face of English drug gang plague

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TWICE as common in England and FOUR times as many children there face domestic abuse compared to Scotland yet only BBC Scotland seem concerned 

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BBC Radio Scotland above and BBC Scotland‘s website today on child experiences of rape and of increased rape reporting: Scotland’s top law officer has said it is “concerning for all of us” that the number of domestic abuse charges has increased. New figures show that 34,586 charges were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) last year – an increase of 14% on the previous year. Court action was ordered in 91% of cases. Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_scotland_fm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdx5lxdwyqzo Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Nowhere, this: Domestic abuse … Continue reading TWICE as common in England and FOUR times as many children there face domestic abuse compared to Scotland yet only BBC Scotland seem concerned 

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Herald’s aging Ferry Correspondent, Commode Maritime Williams calls for waste of your taxes to replace 6 vessels far younger than many in Ireland, Greece and Canada

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 The Herald, once more fuelling their very own ferry fiasco on the recurring theme of ‘aging.’ The fleet he wants to replace were all built in 1986, making them only 40 years old. Here’s what Martin and the Herald of Sinking Sales are not telling you: There’s a problem or two here. They’re not ageing nor are they breaking down much compared to other comparable fleets. Ageing first: In terms of age, interesting in the light of media headlines here, Scotland’s ferries are the … Continue reading Herald’s aging Ferry Correspondent, Commode Maritime Williams calls for waste of your taxes to replace 6 vessels far younger than many in Ireland, Greece and Canada

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When will BBC Scotland hire an education correspondent that can read published peer-review research revealing how Pisa reduces creative work and can weaken later learning

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Quick as you don’t like, BBC Scotland‘s ‘Education Correspondent’, with barely a thought it seems, is taking the latest Pisa data on reading all-too-dimly. Who is she? Lucy Adams at the University of Glasgow -She studied for an MLitt in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow between 2006 and 2008. This is an interesting part of her background because creative writing can strengthen narrative skill, precision of language and the ability to bring lived experience vividly onto the page. She also completed a … Continue reading When will BBC Scotland hire an education correspondent that can read published peer-review research revealing how Pisa reduces creative work and can weaken later learning

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Wha’s like us? Damn few and they’re a’ deid! Ssshhh!!! Don’t mention the wars!

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Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Is there more published evidence for this claim in the Telegraph yesterday? A Carnegie UK / Ipsos MORI poll in 2018 is the closest thing to a dedicated “kindness” study. Representative samples in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland found Scotland highest on giving and receiving kindness. About 94% in Scotland said people in their area are generally kind; 86% said they had helped someone locally in the past year (72% in England). Strong agreement was also higher in Scotland (e.g. 64% strongly … Continue reading Wha’s like us? Damn few and they’re a’ deid! Ssshhh!!! Don’t mention the wars!