Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Criminals from major cities such as London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are expanding their drug networks into rural and suburban areas throughout Scotland

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Tarves (population 1 080) on 29 June 2024 react with shock to the above in the P&J local newspaper. BBC Scotland NE did not cover the story but STV NE did and mentioned County Lines in the headline. BBC Scotland has only covered County Lines drug gangs 3 times since 2019 with the last, naming them and their origins, in 2021. This plague is big news across Aberdeenshire: Police Scotland, whose activity in investigating supposed SNP fraud has been of endless fascination for BBC Scotland, are heavily involved: BBC Scotland’s clear aversion to covering this plague of violence and related … Continue reading Criminals from major cities such as London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are expanding their drug networks into rural and suburban areas throughout Scotland

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How many SNP health secretaries have to avert an NHS strike before they get credit for saving many lives?

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There have been no health service strikes by doctors, junior doctors, GPs, consultants, nurses, midwives, ambulance paramedics or radiologists in Scotland. Almost all have taken action in England and some in Wales. Only the radioactive GMB has managed to trick its porter and cleaner members to take action. Millions of appointments and procedures have been cancelled with the inevitable loss of uncounted lives. Through a willingness to keep talking and the adoption of respect for professionals, SNP health secretaries, backed up by the SNP Government, have saved hundreds of thousands of appointments and procedures. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives, have … Continue reading How many SNP health secretaries have to avert an NHS strike before they get credit for saving many lives?

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Who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that?

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By Alasdair Macdonald ’Country before Party’ is what the Labour manifesto pledged. Setting aside for the moment what ‘country’ connotes, how does Ms McNeill and other Labour MPs justify their decision to support the continuation of the ‘two-child benefit cap’? Their argument is that ‘the country(?) cannot afford it at present. But, who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that? And, why are they in poverty? Because they have not got enough money even though, in most cases, at least one member of the family is in paid employment, and wages are low, hours are few … Continue reading Who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that?

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Drug deaths on a delayed ferry? Now you’re talking!

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Thanks to namorrodor for suggesting this quick comparative study. Above, only two BBC Scotland online reports with ‘County Lines‘ in the header but no mention of the English towns of origin in the text, over 5 years of a growing plague of terror – murder, extreme violence, cheap drugs, people trafficking, child abuse, prostitution and XL Bully dogs, from Wick to Dumfries, in up to 60 places, according to Police Scotland. A total failure to inform licence payers in a naked strategy to protect the Union and the Labour Party. How about ferries? The above 10 plus another 15, 25 … Continue reading Drug deaths on a delayed ferry? Now you’re talking!

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BBC Scotland’s avoidance of English County Lines gang terror complaint – their odd response and my follow-up complaint

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On July 23rd, I wrote to BBC Complaints: County Lines gangs, based in large English cities have been responsible for a spreading plague of extreme violence, more accessible and cheaper illegal drug supplies, child abuse, prostitution, people trafficking and the exploitation (cuckooing) of vulnerable adults in small-town UK, into places previously less affected by crime. Recent data reveal a surge in knife crime in rural and small-town areas in England and a recent surge in violent crime in similar areas in Scotland. Police Scotland estimates more than 50 County Lines gang activities in Scotland using children to carry the drugs … Continue reading BBC Scotland’s avoidance of English County Lines gang terror complaint – their odd response and my follow-up complaint

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The two-child benefit cap:  will it prove an ethical dilemma for Kirsty McNeill MP, Labour’s new Under Secretary of State for Scotland and former Director of Save the Children?

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By stewartb One of the most conspicuous examples of a Labour MP shifting their stance on the urgency of reducing child poverty – specifically on the urgency of abolishing the two-child benefit cap – must surely be that of Kirsty McNeill, the new member of parliament for Midlothian and significantly, the Under Secretary of State for Scotland. Prior to being elected, Ms McNeill was Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children. In reading what follows, bear in mind Ms McNeill’s job title with this major charity operating in the UK and internationally – note ‘policy’, note … Continue reading The two-child benefit cap:  will it prove an ethical dilemma for Kirsty McNeill MP, Labour’s new Under Secretary of State for Scotland and former Director of Save the Children?

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Drink drive deaths in England soar to nearly three times those in Scotland halved after Scottish Government lowers limit

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By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian, typically Anglocentric, today: Deaths due to drinking and driving on UK roads have increased to 300 annually, a 13-year high, according to newly published government data. There were an estimated 300 deaths where at least one driver was over the legal blood-alcohol limit in 2022, the latest year for which official figures are available, the Department for Transport said. This is the highest annual figure since 2009, a toll motoring organisations described as “abhorrent” and concerning. The number is 16% higher than in 2021 and means drink-drive fatalities accounted for about 18% of all road deaths, … Continue reading Drink drive deaths in England soar to nearly three times those in Scotland halved after Scottish Government lowers limit

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The knock-on consequences for the size of the Block Grants to devolved administrations and the resourcing of the NHS in Scotland

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By stewartb The recent National Audit Office report entitled ‘NHS Financial Management and Sustainability’ makes substantive comments on the state of NHS England and the challenges it faces due to financial settlements over many years now from Westminster governments. Of course it makes ZERO reference to the knock-on consequences for the size of the Block Grants to devolved administrations and the resourcing of the NHS in NI, Scotland and Wales. See https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/nhs-financial-management-and-sustainability-2024/ Just a few extracts from the NAO report help to reinforce the point for anyone willing to acknowledge how the Barnet Formula operates: The NAO explains that ‘over the decade … Continue reading The knock-on consequences for the size of the Block Grants to devolved administrations and the resourcing of the NHS in Scotland

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What the Scottish Government has achieved with the Scottish NHS is more than mere mitigation

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By Legerwood What the Scottish Government has achieved with the Scottish NHS is more than mere mitigation. Just look at the number of new hospitals that have been built the length and breadth of Scotland and the upgrades to existing hospitals. For example, new Community hospitals in Kirkwall, Aviemore, Broadford, Haddington to name but a few. They provide a better work environment and often increased facilities which mean better outcomes for patients. The new community hospital in Kirkwall won a silver medal in an international competition. Haddington Community Hospital which has only been open for a few years won a … Continue reading What the Scottish Government has achieved with the Scottish NHS is more than mere mitigation

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Latest research – Crime down 53% since first SNP Government began but police numbers slightly up on last Labour Government!

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By Professor John Robertson From the Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : July 2024 edition, today: Crime has fallen by 53% since 2008-09. Results from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) show that around 1 in 10 adults were victims of crime in 2021-22 (10.0%) compared to 1 in 5 in 2008-09 (20.4%). The estimated number of crimes fell by 53% over the same period, and by 18% since 2017-18.  https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-july-2024-edition/pages/3/#page-top IMPORTANT – This is not based on police reporting which is known to understate the actual level of crime but on The Scottish Crime and Justice … Continue reading Latest research – Crime down 53% since first SNP Government began but police numbers slightly up on last Labour Government!