Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Why is only the Scottish Government accused by ‘environmental groups?’ Any ideas, BBC Scotland?

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Try searching for ‘BBC Scotland an environmental group has’, and find, straight off: Change that to ‘BBC UK an environmental group has’, and find only: BBC Wales? Again, just the one: This is not random. Editors set guidelines for reporters so that they know what to spend their time on and decide what will be broadcast. Continue reading Why is only the Scottish Government accused by ‘environmental groups?’ Any ideas, BBC Scotland?

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THREE times as many wait more than 12 hours in English and Welsh A&E departments

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By Professor John Robertson: Today, the Express is headlining – Scots dying as A&E crisis worsens every day based on the weekly 4 hour waits for week ending 6 October. A simple look at the above graph is clear – post-pandemic with increasing numbers (122 000 in April 2022 to 143 000 in May 2024) attending, a dramatic increase in those waiting beyond target times but since January 2022, a clear stabilisation and even fall from that peak with significantly fewer waiting over 12 hours in December 2024 (42 000) than in December 2022 (49 000) Missing from the Express story … Continue reading THREE times as many wait more than 12 hours in English and Welsh A&E departments

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72 year-old coal-fired ferry still serving in one of wealthiest countries in the World

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As the Express goes on about CalMac’s ‘aging’ ferries again, a bit of perspective: When you think of travel on Lake Michigan, you likely think of the S.S. Badger. It has been an iconic mode of transportation connecting communities and enhancing travel experiences for decades. As the last operating coal-fired passenger steamship in the United States, the S.S. Badger carries a rich history that reflects the evolution of car ferries in the Great Lakes region. This history began in 1875 when the Flint and Pere Marquette Railway launched the 175-foot steamer John Sherman to transport grain, freight and passengers between Ludington, … Continue reading 72 year-old coal-fired ferry still serving in one of wealthiest countries in the World

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Humza Yousaf makes same error as Prof Devine in blaming ordinary Scots for imperial crimes

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Professor John Robertson OBA This is just wrong. Elites in Scotland and in India played a leading role in the British Empire. 99% of the population in both places were starved, worked into the ground and used as cannon-fodder. ‘Scotland’ did not play any role, people did. I’ve been here before with otherwise highly intelligent public figures apparently ignorant of the reality of life for the majority (99%) indigenous population in the European empires and the actions of elites (1%) in their colonies. Anyhow, Sarwar’s support for Pakistan’s independence, considered hypocritical by many including me, was dismissed by Prof Tom … Continue reading Humza Yousaf makes same error as Prof Devine in blaming ordinary Scots for imperial crimes

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Flood of British refugees into Scotland in the SNP era may surpass the level of Irish famine migration in 1845/1851

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From The Irish Famine in a Scottish Perspective 1845-1851 by Géraldine VAUGHAN, in 2015, it is estimated that there were roughly 115,000 Irish incomers to Scotland for those six years.1 From the NRS, in the ten years from 2012 to 2022 (latest data), around 100 000 arrived in Scotland from other parts of the UK, increasing sharply from 3 000 in 2012 to 12 500 in 2022. This trend seems likely to be due to worsening austerity in other parts of the UK unprotected by SNP policies, on child poverty, HE fees and prescription charges, lower crime, a better-performing NHS, low … Continue reading Flood of British refugees into Scotland in the SNP era may surpass the level of Irish famine migration in 1845/1851

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10% of the population but 65% more doctors in training

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From Undergraduate medicine degree admissions at Scottish universities: FOI release, published yesterday, we see 1 240 entrants to ‘Pre Clinical’ medicine for 2022-23, the latest HESA data available (245 from rUK).1 From NHS England’s NHS England update on medical school training places, 28 February letter to Royal College of Physicians, published in February 2024: We are currently ahead of plan on our initial milestone to increase medical training places from an intake of 7,500 in September 2023 to 8,200 places by September 2025, as set out on p129 of the LTWP. In September 2023, a total of 7,571 medical school … Continue reading 10% of the population but 65% more doctors in training

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It’s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales

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By stewartb We know that the British Labour Party and its media allies in Scotland for the Union would have voters here believe that any shortcomings, all problems in Scotland’s public services can be laid at the door of the SNP Scottish Government. So it’s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales – in education, health and social care, housing, poverty levels, unemployment; economic development and yes, local government funding etc. All can be scrutinised in order to assess the track record of the British Labour Party government in Cardiff during the extended period of Tory rule in Westminster: … Continue reading It’s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales

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CalMac ferry fares to increase to only a fraction of those for Isle of Wight.

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From BBC Scotland today: Ferry fares in Scotland will increase by 10% from next year, the Scottish government has confirmed. The rise will take effect from 1 January 2025 on the Northern Isles network and from 28 March on the west coast. CalMac’s services in the west have been under particular pressure due to ageing vessels, with the main Arran ferry out of action for most of the year. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a fare freeze in place this year had cost £10m and it would be “too challenging to continue”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly40y40pq9o?at_format=link&at_link_origin=BBCScotlandNews&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_type=web_link&at_medium=social&at_link_id=A28BEBDA-8A30-11EF-A859-B34A7FBC4FAB&at_campaign_type=owned&at_ptr_name=twitter She said fares were frozen for 2023-24 instead … Continue reading CalMac ferry fares to increase to only a fraction of those for Isle of Wight.

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The endless stream of supposedly intelligent media cartoons misrepresenting the campaign for Scottish independence and now still offensive on the death of Alex Salmond

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By Professor John Robertson OBA When I first saw the above guardian cartoon, I didn’t know what to make of it. @Prae54Rae gets it. It’s endless. A foul-smelling stream of supposedly liberal leftist sentiment, as confused and snearing, as any on the hard right in England. Here’s the previous: Peter Brookes in the Times, gleefully shared by the slimy be-wigged lard-bucket that is Andrew Neil, the above. Imagine doing that with the leaders of any other country? Sadly, it’s not new. In February 2024, again from Peter Brookes in the Times, a snide and offensive take on the SNP’s supposed troubles. … Continue reading The endless stream of supposedly intelligent media cartoons misrepresenting the campaign for Scottish independence and now still offensive on the death of Alex Salmond