Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Deadly measles cases more than 7 times as common in England

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On BBC UK this morning, a worrying report on falling immunisation levels among children to well below the 95% immunity level. Of particular concern the effect of low immunisation with the MMR vaccine to cover the deadly measles. Not reported above and as yet unavailable online, the MMR figure from September 2023, was 92.5% Also published today, the Scottish data: 92.6% of children had the first dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age. This rose to 95.6% for children who had reached age 5. As of 19 June, there have been 14 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Scotland in … Continue reading Deadly measles cases more than 7 times as common in England

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Crime slightly up in 2023/2024 but still falling in trend down 51% from the days of Thatcherism still scarring England

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By Professor John Robertson From the Scottish Government today: Crimes recorded by the police in Scotland increased by 4%, from 289,362 to 299,780. The recording of crime remains below the position immediately prior to the pandemic (2019-20) and down 51% from its peak in 1991. Non-sexual crimes of violence increased by 4%, from 68,870 to 71,463. Common assault (up 3%) makes up the clear majority (83%) of all non-sexual crimes of violence recorded in 2023-24. Sexual crimes decreased by 1%, from 14,602 to 14,484. These crimes are now at the third highest level seen since 1971, the first year for … Continue reading Crime slightly up in 2023/2024 but still falling in trend down 51% from the days of Thatcherism still scarring England

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The plague of English drug gangs terrorising Scotland that cannot be named strikes Falkirk

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According to Police Scotland, two years ago, there were around 50 County Lines drugs, child sex and trafficking, gang groups, based in England, now operating in Scottish towns, from Fraserburgh to Dumfries. Only Auchinleck/Cumnock seems to have driven them out, when locals rioted against a Bradford-based group and burned their base, last November. See: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2023/11/29/locals-confirm-ayrshire-riots-were-against-british-drug-gangs-who-abused-under-age-girls/ While the local press and the tabloids will be explicit about this curse, BBC Scotland, STV, and the ‘serious’ press will not. The words ‘County Lines’ almost never make it to a headline and rarely appear in the text. That this is a flow exclusively … Continue reading The plague of English drug gangs terrorising Scotland that cannot be named strikes Falkirk

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Days before an election, Reporting Scotland and the rogue BMA Scotland rep tell us there is an NHS crisis but only in Scotland – The Facts say otherwise

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By Professor John Robertson In April 2024: BMA Scotland, headed up by Dr Iain Kennedy, who has now shed the union flag on his twitter account, have a piece on consultant vacancies all over the media from 06:30 this morning on BBC Scotland. They’ll have had this one oven-ready for some time now. Why today. From the real BMA in London today: The BMA England GP committee has warned health service officials that the profession is ‘now in dispute’ with NHS England following the overwhelming vote to reject the 2024/25 contract. Is the profession in dispute with NHS Scotland? The silence talks. … Continue reading Days before an election, Reporting Scotland and the rogue BMA Scotland rep tell us there is an NHS crisis but only in Scotland – The Facts say otherwise

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Drifts nearly onto the rocks, hits the harbour wall and now runs aground – New Zealand’s real ferry crisis

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By our International Ferry Correspondent In January 2023: Stricken Cook Strait ferry the Kaitaki drifted more than a nautical mile towards the rugged Wellington south coast in winds gusting over 100kph, it’s been revealed. The harbour ships that raced to her aid also likely lacked the grunt to pull her and 800 passengers to safety. Wellington Harbourmaster Grant Nalder on Sunday praised the professionalism of the crew and captain, who battled challenging conditions to drop two anchors and halt the powerless ship’s drift 0.9 nautical miles from shore and 0.6 nautical miles (1.1km) from hitting the sea floor. In November … Continue reading Drifts nearly onto the rocks, hits the harbour wall and now runs aground – New Zealand’s real ferry crisis

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Police Scotland Alerts – Why is BBC Scotland not looking as Scotland’s drug deaths are fuelled by English gangs

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By Professor John Robertson From Police Scotland yesterday: Three people have been arrested in connection with drug offences in Aberdeen. Following a County Lines intelligence led operation, officers executed warrants at addresses on Esslemont Avenue and Granton Place, Aberdeen on Wednesday, 19 June, 2024. Class A drugs with an estimated value of £35,000 and a four-figure sum of cash were recovered. A 23-year-woman and a two men, aged 30 and 31, all from the London area were arrested and charged in connection with the recovery.  They are due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday, 20 June, 2024.  A … Continue reading Police Scotland Alerts – Why is BBC Scotland not looking as Scotland’s drug deaths are fuelled by English gangs

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London-based County Lines drug gang exploits child in Aberdeenshire but BBC Scotland look away again as election looms

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By Professor John Robertson Yesterday, STV had this headline and sub: Man, 21, charged in connection with drugs offences and child exploitation – The 21-year-old man is due to appear at Peterhead Sheriff Court on Monday, June 24. They do mention London and County Lines in the text but keep this matter, which clearly harms the Better Together story, from too much attention. I doubt the story has made a TV broadcast. Correct me if you can. BBC Scotland? It is now more than 3 years since BBC Scotland mentioned County Lines gangs, for the only time, in a post. … Continue reading London-based County Lines drug gang exploits child in Aberdeenshire but BBC Scotland look away again as election looms

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Holding government to account depends on the “attitude” of the ruling party in what is “one of the most executive-dominated parliaments in the world”

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(Director, Institute for Government, 18 June 2024) – Scotland’s 21st century democracy, UK-style! By stewartb A comment piece by the Director of the Institute for Government (IfG) – the London-based, centrist think tank close to the Westminster and Whitehall establishment – got me thinking about the democracy and associated agency we in Scotland experience within the Union. We are only too well aware that Scotland’s electorate is in a small minority in this Union; that Scotland now has a diminished number of elected members in the Union parliament; that we have a modern history of prolonged periods of rule by … Continue reading Holding government to account depends on the “attitude” of the ruling party in what is “one of the most executive-dominated parliaments in the world”

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Homeownership rates among younger people in Scotland far higher than for UK

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 Institute for Fiscal Studies (June 2024) By stewartb On 20 June 2024 the Scottish Government announced the following: ‘Help for first-time buyers across the country on low to medium incomes’. This is described on the Scottish Government website: ’A scheme to help first time buyers and certain priority groups step on to the property ladder has reopened for applications. The Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme is available across Scotland to first-time buyers on low or medium incomes who cannot afford the full price of a home. (my emphasis) ‘Successful applicants will be able to buy a home without having … Continue reading Homeownership rates among younger people in Scotland far higher than for UK

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Answering Fiona Bruce’s dishonest selective long waiting list question AGAIN when NHS Scotland treats more than 14 times as many of those at risk of imminent death, per head of population, within 18 weeks!

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By Professor John Robertson Fiona Bruce tonight, asked the same question she had asked Kate Forbes last week: Why is it in Scotland there are 7 000 people who’ve waited more than two years for treatment. In England it’s just over 200. To my amazement, Forbes was not ready for it and neither was Swinney tonight. Here it is again. The UK Government and NHS England have been sneaky again, as they did when they began restarting the clock for A&E patients, after they had been triaged. They knew how the media feasted on stories of patients waiting more than two years … Continue reading Answering Fiona Bruce’s dishonest selective long waiting list question AGAIN when NHS Scotland treats more than 14 times as many of those at risk of imminent death, per head of population, within 18 weeks!