Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Campaigners say improved social attitudes towards trans people makes it easier for them to come out, only 10 years after SNP legislation

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This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ identity clinic in Scotland – a fivefold rise since 2018. BBC Scotland News has learned that some are now waiting up to six years for a first appointment. GPs say they’ve been left to care for those on waiting lists with guidelines that are now 12 years old. Reporting Scotland, one again, with a heavy dose of early morning gloom for their ever diminishing audience. The full report on the website does have this key context: Campaigners say the high demand for specialist help is down to … Continue reading Campaigners say improved social attitudes towards trans people makes it easier for them to come out, only 10 years after SNP legislation

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Part-time, semi-retired prof in spare room studio beats BBC Scotland viewing figures

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The Talking-up Scotland studio. It’s not really. It’s worse, the same size, but Mrs Prof won’t let me show it. That headline – what am I talking about? From Irish News today: BBC Scotland is to drop its The Nine news programme as part of changes to its news and current affairs services. Last month, BBC Scotland director Steve Carson was questioned by MSPs on “really low” TV audiences for The Nine after it emerged one episode had just 1,700 people watching. 1 700? See this: The Talking-up Scotland viewing figures for February 2024 with 4 days above 1 700 … Continue reading Part-time, semi-retired prof in spare room studio beats BBC Scotland viewing figures

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Lessons from Birmingham – What can a massive Labour majority do for you if you give them 40 years?

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Today from BBC News (UK), the shocking news of a 21% increase in council tax. In Scotland, that’s 0%. I know, Fiona Bruce, ‘whataboutery’, unless we’re talking drug deaths or something where it’s worse in Scotland. Hosting asylum seekers? Nope, Cleverly was faking that one. Anyhow back to the council tax in Birmingham City, who’s to blame? That’d be Labour, Labour, Labour…… Ah, but was someone else to blame for mismanaging council funds in the past? There you are. The Tories left a mess in finances, only 40 years ago. What’s the current Labour catchword? Change? No, that won’t do. … Continue reading Lessons from Birmingham – What can a massive Labour majority do for you if you give them 40 years?

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New evidence from Fiona Bruce that waiting lists in England are far far longer than in Scotland

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From Fiona Bruce of BBC News at 6: The BBC has discovered that many NHS patients in England are stuck on waiting lists potentially running into millions. People who are referred to a specialist for treatment for cancer or heart failure for example are no longer counted on the main waiting lists. The Director of Data Analytics at the The Health Foundation then says: It’s very difficult to get an idea of the number…it’s not quite clear which hospital record it and which don’t…but I would guess it’s in the millions! Imagine that was in Scotland? Imagine Jackie Baillie on … Continue reading New evidence from Fiona Bruce that waiting lists in England are far far longer than in Scotland

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Beyond the media circus – evidence the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has on Scotland’s pandemic response and outcomes

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By stewartb – a long read We can only speculate what profile the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will end up giving to different sources of evidence on the Scottish Government’s response to the pandemic. How will the Inquiry weigh what it receives from dispassionate experts in comparison to what is favoured by the politically partisan? Will the Inquiry’s reporting major on WhatsApp messaging and alleged political motivation as its public hearings in Edinburgh appeared to do, at least according to media coverage? Regardless of what emerges, will BBC Scotland still trawl the Inquiry’s findings for that precious phrase which will deliver … Continue reading Beyond the media circus – evidence the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has on Scotland’s pandemic response and outcomes

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Herald’s third place ferry correspondent blurs role of cheap Turkish-built ferry in damaging economy of Islay

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From Brian Donnelly this time with a picture you might forgiven for thinking is the MV Glenn Sannox: Anger as CalMac cuts sailings to famous Scottish island during summer tourism peak Despite it being smaller than the MV Glen Sannox, it seems the Kennacraig terminal needs berth upgrades to take this Turkish built boat, MV Isle of Islay. Pedant footnote – Doesn’t ‘Islay’ mean ‘isle’ so Isle of Islay a bit daft? MV Glen Campbell not considered? Continue reading Herald’s third place ferry correspondent blurs role of cheap Turkish-built ferry in damaging economy of Islay

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Just what the Ayrshire Central electorate need – a Labour candidate who dreams of them being colonised again but this time with curry, brighter clothes and sexier sculpture

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2094 AD – The Hindu frieze (above) chosen by Kilwinning Provost, Narenda Modi IV to replace the ‘MOTHER LODGE’ frieze (below) on Lodge 0, the first Masonic Lodge in the world. Recognising their shared love of the colour Orange, of Ian Paisley Pattern, and the inclusiveness of Hinduism, the Masons became a recognised Hindu sect. The ceremony on 11 July, will be delivered by the High Priest of Hinduism in Central Ayrshire, Allan Mahatmacoat Jamieson (70), adopted son of Labour MP (2042), Allan Jamieson, who was appointed by the Indian Governor of Scotland Region, after the Indian Army’s unopposed conquest … Continue reading Just what the Ayrshire Central electorate need – a Labour candidate who dreams of them being colonised again but this time with curry, brighter clothes and sexier sculpture

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BBC Scotland ignore Oxford University expert saying Scotland’s contribution to hosting displaced people is 50% greater than England

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From BBC Scotland today: Home Secretary James Cleverly has urged the Scottish government to use a cruise ship and other large sites to accommodate more asylum seekers. Mr Cleverly said that for dispersal and initial accommodation alone, Scotland houses eight asylum seekers for every 10,000 people. This compares to nine in Wales and 16 in England. This morning, at least 12 hours earlier, on BBC Radio Good Mourning Scotland, we hear from Peter William Walsh of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University: The Home Secretary criticises the Scottish Government for not taking enough asylum seekers. So asylum seekers are those … Continue reading BBC Scotland ignore Oxford University expert saying Scotland’s contribution to hosting displaced people is 50% greater than England

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Labour ‘change’ – just a cheap vapid campaign slogan created by someone behind the scenes

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By NMRN The reason Sir Keir Starmer & the Labour party at HQ do not want call for just a (immediate) ceasefire (without always instead having to add a prefix prior to the word ‘ceasefire) is that it appears they do not want to ‘Bite (one of the many) Hand(s) that feeds them’ (funds them)…. Last year in June it was reported that “The UK Labour Party’s latest corporate mega-donor is a pro-Israel businessman whose company profited from South African apartheid” where in a report in The Financial Times which stated that “their new megadonor. a multimillionaire , donated £5 million ($6.29m) to become the party’s biggest donor and one … Continue reading Labour ‘change’ – just a cheap vapid campaign slogan created by someone behind the scenes

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Dear Herald Ferry Correspondent – MV (Monstrous Vessel) Glen Sannox – The Troon terminal is ready, NOO!

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From cuckooshoe Troon is ready for the MV Glen Sannox! There’s photographic evidence at the end of this Transport Scotland Project Update https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/ferries/infrastructure-projects/qa-troon-harbour-project-november-2023 Q&A – Troon Harbour Project – November 2023 Continue reading Dear Herald Ferry Correspondent – MV (Monstrous Vessel) Glen Sannox – The Troon terminal is ready, NOO!