Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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‘E.coli soup’ in swimming water in Oxford is now added to Cryptosporidium in London, Diarrhoea in Devon, Human Waste in the Thames and Windermere, Sick sheep in a Yorkshire burn and Diddley in Scotland

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On BBC Breakfast this morning a scientist measures the presence of bacteria in a stream feeding into a swimming river in England and concludes the above. He tells us and that, in the sample, there are 43 000 units of bacteria, especially e-coli, per 100ml and that the safe level for swimming is under 900. It’s 50 times too high! None of this is new and nothing even vaguely like it has ever happened in Scotland. BBC Scotland 2 July 2026, made as much as they could from this: Environmental inspectors have warned the public to avoid entering the water at … Continue reading ‘E.coli soup’ in swimming water in Oxford is now added to Cryptosporidium in London, Diarrhoea in Devon, Human Waste in the Thames and Windermere, Sick sheep in a Yorkshire burn and Diddley in Scotland

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Labour MP and former health worker misses top medical journal research report confirming SNP’s pro-science approach to nuclear energy

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In the Largs & Millport News, serving the area around Hunterston B nuclear power station, just shut down and with the site predicted to be safe by within 100 000 years, we read: NORTH Ayrshire MP Irene Campbell has urged the UK Government to press the Scottish Government to rethink its ‘no new nuclear’ stance, arguing that Hunterston could host new nuclear jobs and investment for the region. Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Campbell said strict opposition to new nuclear power from the SNP-led Scottish Government meant communities such as hers were missing out on potential economic benefits. … Continue reading Labour MP and former health worker misses top medical journal research report confirming SNP’s pro-science approach to nuclear energy

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Climate change is real but there is no need for hysteria about the wildfire risk to Scotland

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From BBC Scotland two days ago, the above and: A devastating wildfire burning in the Cairngorms has entered its seventh day, as helicopters battle to stop the spread of the flames. Two specialist helicopters have been “invaluable” for waterbombing hard-to-reach areas, the Cairngorms National Park Authority says. But the flames were allowed to torch the landscape for nearly two days before they arrived on the scene around Glenmore Forest Park. There’s been vocal frustration from some local people, who believe the wildfire might have been brought under control if specialist air support had been called in sooner. Why the delay? … Continue reading Climate change is real but there is no need for hysteria about the wildfire risk to Scotland

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UK Government’s own levelised ‘full lifetime’ cost analysis – new nuclear is nearly three times more expensive than onshore wind and more than double offshore wind

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From Nuclear and offshore wind energy comparison information: EIR release – Information request and response under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, published today: Information requested All internal briefings, analysis and minutes/notes from meetings, comparing nuclear energy and offshore wind energy, from the last three months. Response Some of the information you requested is available from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy Publication. The publication provides estimates of the size of the UK’s low carbon and renewable energy economy, including turnover and employment. Data is available for nuclear, and offshore energy. The latest publication … Continue reading UK Government’s own levelised ‘full lifetime’ cost analysis – new nuclear is nearly three times more expensive than onshore wind and more than double offshore wind

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Meet The New Boss

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By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 Standing on the steps of Downing Street after becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham presented himself as the leader of a fresh start and a different kind of politics. But how many times have we heard those same promises made on the same steps of Number 10, only to see them quietly abandoned almost as soon as the new Prime Minister walks through that shiny black door? I’m old enough to remember Margaret Thatcher declaring: “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth” — words borrowed from the … Continue reading Meet The New Boss

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Utterly stupid scaremongering headline on knife crime from BBC Scotland’s David Cowan

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From BBC Scotland today: Three senseless killings in the space of six months, all involving teenagers and bladed weapons, have raised concern over youth-related knife crime in Scotland to a level not seen for many years. The deaths of Amen Teklay, Kayden Moy and John McNab last year left many wondering whether the country was going backwards to the shameful time when Scotland endured one of the worst homicide rates in western Europe. The above cluster took place in 2005 with the last in September. Despite two very warm and dry periods this year, there have been no such cases … Continue reading Utterly stupid scaremongering headline on knife crime from BBC Scotland’s David Cowan

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Burnham only to cap local routes but Swinney’s 103 miles, 4 hour, Wick to Inverness bus fare cut from £31 to only £2 still stands 

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From Cheaper bus travel for Highland communities published yesterday: People across the Highlands and Islands are set to benefit from more affordable public transport as £2 capped bus fares are rolled out this month. The pilot will significantly cut fares across the Highland network and is one of a range of measures the Scottish Government is taking to support households hit by rising everyday costs. Fares such as a single adult journey from Wick to Inverness, currently £31, and a single adult journey from Elgin to Inverness, currently £15.60, would be capped at £2. Following a successful launch in Shetland and the Western … Continue reading Burnham only to cap local routes but Swinney’s 103 miles, 4 hour, Wick to Inverness bus fare cut from £31 to only £2 still stands 

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Your world today is quite different than the one BBC Scotland constructs for you

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Four out of seven top stories might suggest you live in an increasingly violent world in Scotland today but things have changed, a lot, after nearly 20 years of centre-left/protecting public services as opposed to centre-right/cutting public services, politics. 2. youth violence 3. Rape 4. Child abuse 5. Domestic abuse Continue reading Your world today is quite different than the one BBC Scotland constructs for you

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The SNP will not make your holiday flight more expensive just the rich in private jets – short video

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Sources – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/21/this-is-a-complete-lie-snp-will-not-make-your-holiday-flight-more-expensive-but-only-the-12-000-private-jet-flights-a-year-by-the-likes-of-bill-gates-donald-trump-and-footballers-like-jens-hjerto-d/ Continue reading The SNP will not make your holiday flight more expensive just the rich in private jets – short video

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News of Andy Burnhams’s new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed in Scotland for promise of hard border to keep drug gangs, measles and right-wing extremists in and free electricity out of England

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Ed Miliband is Labour’s new UK Government Foreign Secretary. Some of us remember his threat to try to put us off voting Yes in 2024. Sadly, it may have worked for some. Things have changed. We need a hard border and we’ll put the Black Watch on the border. Why? Full text with sources of evidence for all of the above at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/page/2/?s=border Continue reading News of Andy Burnhams’s new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed in Scotland for promise of hard border to keep drug gangs, measles and right-wing extremists in and free electricity out of England