Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
1 Comment

No evidence that A&E long waits are ‘contributing’ to deaths as Scotland’s hospital death rate falls

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Chair Faculty Research Ethics Committee, UWS The Scotsman today has another health service scare story – Action call as A&E waits ‘contribute to 1 000 deaths.’ The claim is based on ‘research’ by a health trade … Continue reading No evidence that A&E long waits are ‘contributing’ to deaths as Scotland’s hospital death rate falls

7 Comments

Why does Herald’s Mark Smith say Starmerites are ‘lefties?’

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing 28 February 2025, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS In the Herald today from Mark Smith ‘Feature Writer’: The New Nasty: When did lefties become so vile? It was Theresa May who worried, some 20 years ago, … Continue reading Why does Herald’s Mark Smith say Starmerites are ‘lefties?’

28 Comments

Labour MP and councillor lead protest of only 4% of Arran’s favoured population to demand we pay for repairs to a harbour owned by an English billionaire tax exile so that they can suffer more weather-related ferry cancellations

johnrobertson834

Frustrated Arran councillor Charles Currie is urging the Scottish Government to commit to vital upgrading work at Ardrossan Harbour after taking part in a demonstration urging action The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 14 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS In … Continue reading Labour MP and councillor lead protest of only 4% of Arran’s favoured population to demand we pay for repairs to a harbour owned by an English billionaire tax exile so that they can suffer more weather-related ferry cancellations

5 Comments

Journalism student, Herald sport writer allowed to spike good news on pupil spending in Scottish schools and suggest England does better, with Pisa statistics no respectable academic values

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 14 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS In Holyrood mag today, Archie Willis (above), Journalism & Spanish Student at University of Strathclyde and regular on football at the Herald has a piece on the IFS … Continue reading Journalism student, Herald sport writer allowed to spike good news on pupil spending in Scottish schools and suggest England does better, with Pisa statistics no respectable academic values

3 Comments

150% surge in Scottish Government investment in play parks to fight obesity, improve mental health and develop young minds

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 14 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS Not so well known as the Scottish Government’s wider strategies to improve the experience of childhood in deprived areas and to reap future benefits, for all of us, … Continue reading 150% surge in Scottish Government investment in play parks to fight obesity, improve mental health and develop young minds

2 Comments

Research – SNP Government’s early action and £4m spent on RSV vaccine for over 75s achieves 63% more coverage than NHS England, slashes hospitalisation rates and will have saved many lives

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 14 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS BBC Scotland have reported RSV vaccine cuts hospital stays for older people but you’d never know from their broadcasts or the fuller website report, unless you read 13 … Continue reading Research – SNP Government’s early action and £4m spent on RSV vaccine for over 75s achieves 63% more coverage than NHS England, slashes hospitalisation rates and will have saved many lives

6 Comments

300 years in jail for English County Lines drug gang members who had ‘their eye on Scotland’ and who English media link to stubborn drug deaths statistics in Scotland, is NOT news in Scotland it seems – why?

johnrobertson834

Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details By Professor John Robertson OBA My Google Alert today, offered Operation Apollo continues crackdown on County Lines with over 300 years in jail time secured [by the above members] from Cheshire Constabulary. There’s no mention of Scotland in it but it triggered a memory in me. This from 2022: A series of raids across Scotland last week highlighted the continuing focus of Merseyside’s organised crime groups on the drugs market north of the border. Last week officers from Merseyside Police teamed up with Police Scotland for … Continue reading 300 years in jail for English County Lines drug gang members who had ‘their eye on Scotland’ and who English media link to stubborn drug deaths statistics in Scotland, is NOT news in Scotland it seems – why?

9 Comments

Why is Scotland able to train almost TWICE as many nurses as England?

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS The Scotsman today is front-paging Alarm over fresh drop in applicants for nurses course based on a 2% reduction in applications, from 4 650 to 4 560, six months before ‘clearing’ processes in the week and months before course start, can fill the missing places. The ‘alarm’ is from a union rep and, evidence-free, the fall in applications is explained by poor working conditions, which in turn, is based upon a small sample, self-selecting (squeaky wheel) survey. Not mentioned, of course, is how this level of nurse training compares with other parts … Continue reading Why is Scotland able to train almost TWICE as many nurses as England?

3 Comments

The power of early-morning nightmares – Reporting Scotland create a fictional world of dangerous prisoners released early

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS IMPORTANT – If you know someone frightened by the broadcast above or by the same story in their newspaper, tell them the facts below to reassure them! BBC Reporting Scotland‘s insert on early prisoner release in BBC Breakfast at 06:30, with repeated doses throughout the day is classic propaganda designed to keep you and especially your elderly and vulnerable neighbours, fearful of change. There’s a strong correlation between heavy news consumption and anxiety/depression. Some groups, the elderly, the inform, the disabled, are more likely to be worried by reports that seem to … Continue reading The power of early-morning nightmares – Reporting Scotland create a fictional world of dangerous prisoners released early

11 Comments

Reform pushing steadily into 1st place in UK and 2nd in Scotland as Sarwar’s dream of FM with Reform turn to ashes

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 10 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS Six out of the last seven UK polls for Westminster have had Reform UK ahead of Labour, and only 1 point behind, in the other. The latest from … Continue reading Reform pushing steadily into 1st place in UK and 2nd in Scotland as Sarwar’s dream of FM with Reform turn to ashes