Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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BBC Scotland milk the maybe bin strikes for more than 40 days and 40 nights as we head for the unions accepting the SNP-funded offer

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Above, one of the earliest reports drooling over the possibility of bin strikes to cast the SNP in a poor light. Since then: Yesterday 40 plus days later, still headlining the same images: When they settle, how many reports will we get? Continue reading BBC Scotland milk the maybe bin strikes for more than 40 days and 40 nights as we head for the unions accepting the SNP-funded offer

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UK’s first professor of Black Studies seems just as happy to malign Scots, evidence-free, as any ancient Oxbridge English History don

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In his otherwise useful piece Racist riots are nothing new – they’re part of the fabric of British society, Professor Kehinde Andrews, a bit ironically given his surname, offers these views: Some of our readers have commented in the past week that we’ve been calling these riots across the UK, when in fact they are a uniquely English thing, a uniquely English nationalism, not taking place in Scotland or Wales. What would you say to that? But, honestly, I would push back a bit. I think the Scottish are just as racist as the English, same goes for the Northern … Continue reading UK’s first professor of Black Studies seems just as happy to malign Scots, evidence-free, as any ancient Oxbridge English History don

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Why should Scottish Government pay for new disabled-friendly ferries after long neglect by a separatist island authority holding ‘large’ reserves?

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From BBC Scotland, today: For some Orcadians, taking a ferry can be more like tackling an assault course. That was certainly my experience as a blind person travelling between the islands. Last year, the Scottish government agreed with Orkney Islands Council’s request to look at the financial case to start replacing the inter-island ferries, which are vital lifelines for communities. There’s no doubt that these ferries are outdated and unsuitable for the 21st Century. The big question remains: where will the money come from to replace them, and how long will it take? Orkney Islands Council, the smallest local authority … Continue reading Why should Scottish Government pay for new disabled-friendly ferries after long neglect by a separatist island authority holding ‘large’ reserves?

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English islanders must pay hundreds in ferry crossings for dental care

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By stewartb I noted this in the above article about the Isle of Wight: ‘‘The island has limited health services, including no dentists’. The population of the Isle of Wight is c.144,000. From a very quick Google search, so treat with care, but the findings, the contrasts, do look to be ‘significant’: Isle of Arran: Arran Dental Care, Brodick – the population of Arran is c.4,600. Isle of Islay: Islay and Jura Dental Practice, Bowmore – the population of Islay is c. 3,200. Isle of Mull: PDS Dental Clinic, Tobermoray – the population of Mull is c.3,000 Isle of Skye: PDS Dental Clinic and also … Continue reading English islanders must pay hundreds in ferry crossings for dental care

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English islanders shocked to find SNP Government-subsidised and even longer ferry crossing costs a fraction – one seventh – of their regular to the Isle of Wight. Thousands plan to move.

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In the Daily Mail today: Furious Isle of Wight locals have accused ferry companies of holding them to ransom and say they can’t wait to move after being charged £440 for a return ticket to the mainland.  Islanders say they cannot afford to cross the Channel due to soaring costs and unreliable services. ‘Ridiculous’ ferry prices, cancellations, and delays are blighting their lives with some now wishing they had never moved to the island who say it is making them feel ‘completely cut off from society’.   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13722747/I-wish-never-moved-Furious-Isle-Wight-locals-held-ransom-ferry-companies-say-wait-charged-440-return-ticket-mainland.html The longest Isle of Wight crossing is 10 miles. Ardrossan to Arran is 17.3 … Continue reading English islanders shocked to find SNP Government-subsidised and even longer ferry crossing costs a fraction – one seventh – of their regular to the Isle of Wight. Thousands plan to move.

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Why Scotland HAS avoided far-right unrest – Sir Prof Curtice fails to understand who Scotland’s Muslims are and even misunderstands his own percentages

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By Professor John Robertson I’ll start with the numbers. In BBC Scotland, Andrew Kerr’s grudging/riot-hopeful – Why Scotland may have avoided far-right unrest, today: Sir John says population plays a part too, with the proportion of people identifying as Muslim in Scotland much smaller than in England. The latest Scottish census shows 7% of the population is from an ethnic minority, compared to 18% overall in the UK. That would only make sense if the ethnic minority/Muslim population was spread evenly across Scotland and rest of the UK. It’s not. Ethnic minorities have clustered for decades in urban areas of … Continue reading Why Scotland HAS avoided far-right unrest – Sir Prof Curtice fails to understand who Scotland’s Muslims are and even misunderstands his own percentages

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Do the national branch offices of campaigning charities not understand devolution

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By stewartb Do third sector organisations with missions that extend across the UK feel unable to make statements that (in terms) state the following truth and if so WHY? ‘The situation in (a UK nation with a government with only limited, devolved powers) may be bad but – based on statistical analysis – not nearly so bad as in England, the nation with a government with EVERY power to have avoided this bad in the first place and with EVERY power now to deliver the necessary solution. ‘It is the government of England in Westminster – the one with ALL … Continue reading Do the national branch offices of campaigning charities not understand devolution

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Despite lowest reported anti-semitism, only Scotland must be warned about it

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By Anonymous BBC Website On the Scottish Politics page 7th story “Big rise in antisemitic incidents in UK – charity” Click on story and it comes up as part of the ‘UK’ page. Go to UK page to see article and I cannot see this story as an article on there. Story also not on UK politics page Story also not on Welsh politics page. So if the headline is “Big rise in antisemitic incidents in UK – charity” then why is this story only currently showing as a main article on the Scottish politics page ? So I checked the content of this article to see where they noted these incidents were happening within the UK as … Continue reading Despite lowest reported anti-semitism, only Scotland must be warned about it

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English County lines gangs far outnumber and totally out-gun far-right in Scotland

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The Ferret ‘fact-checker’ is punting another scare story to try to convince Scots that right-wing terror groups are active here and might trigger the same kind of riots seen in England and Northern Ireland. Reading through their report, I see evidence of around 20 individuals, a few knives and no guns. None of these individuals or wee groups has ever actually done anything. Police Scotland estimate at least 55 County Lines drug gangs from English cities operating in Scotland, with typically 4 enforcers each and an array of weapons including guns. So, English County Lines gangs – 200 plus enforcers, … Continue reading English County lines gangs far outnumber and totally out-gun far-right in Scotland

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BBC North East ignore another County Lines gang arrest to focus on rubbish

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From AberdeenLive last night but nowhere on BBC Scotland’s North East website where possible bin strikes dominate: A county lines drugs duo were snared after one of them spoke to police while smoking cannabis. Jahvid Frith and Tyrone Sealey had based themselves at a flat in Aberdeen having travelled from England. Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said officers were on patrol at the high-rise block in the city’s Marischal Court early on February 22 2023. Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said officers were on patrol at the high-rise block in the city’s Marischal Court early on February 22 2023. The advocate depute said police believed it had “all the hallmarks” … Continue reading BBC North East ignore another County Lines gang arrest to focus on rubbish