Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Ayrshire Labour MP backs new nuclear power stations that have made Scotland the ‘Cancer Capital of Europe’

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In August 2024, I wrote to my new MP, Elaine Stewart (Labour) in Ayr on energy security and bills in Scotland. Today, 20 months later, I get a reply in which she writes: What the SNP could do to help deliver energy security is drop its ideological block on nuclear which rejects the creation of well-paid jobs, apprenticeships, and reliable low-carbon energy. The Nuclear Industry Association reported more than 10,000 new nuclear jobs being created in the last year alone – the SNPs stance is clearly untenable and is holding Scotland back when it comes to clean power.   In this, she aligns herself with the UK Labour … Continue reading Ayrshire Labour MP backs new nuclear power stations that have made Scotland the ‘Cancer Capital of Europe’

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Neither Nicola Sturgeon nor any member of the Scottish Government has ever denied any link between hospital water systems and infections that may have contributed to deaths but neither have they ever groomed the parents of a dead child

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In the Herald, today in a clear and sickeningly cynical election run-up: Anas Sarwar has called for a criminal investigation into Nicola Sturgeon and managers at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after the board’s eleventh-hour admission that contaminated water at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital probably caused serious infections among vulnerable patients, including children with cancer. The health board’s U-turn, revealed in closing submissions to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, comes after years of denying any link between the hospital’s water system and a cluster of infections that contributed to multiple deaths and left dozens of patients seriously ill. Sarwar has been ‘working with‘ the parents for near on 10 years and … Continue reading Neither Nicola Sturgeon nor any member of the Scottish Government has ever denied any link between hospital water systems and infections that may have contributed to deaths but neither have they ever groomed the parents of a dead child

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Literacy and Numeracy at record highs in Scotland’s schools

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Support Talking-up Scotland -In this election year in Scotland, the 90% pro-Union media and their sponsors in the opposition parties will do everything they can to undermine the pro-independence parties. Thought vastly outnumbered, we will do our very best to counter their lies and get you, every day, the true stories and the sources of evidence to prove them. Help us if you can at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-get-the-facts-for-you From the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland National Report for Academic Year 2024-2025, published today, we can see the one year results but no trends. This is a classic example of a task where … Continue reading Literacy and Numeracy at record highs in Scotland’s schools

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Babies in Scotland get more than twice as many home health visits and have twice the carer continuity that mums and dads want, than those in England

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In the Guardian today: There’s no mention of Scotland in the above nor is there in the full NCT report. The latter has a ‘methodology’ section but that does not feature the word ‘sample.’ Remarkably, the above report seems unaware of State of Health Visiting, UK Survey Report – From disparity to opportunity: The case for rebuilding health visiting” (11th annual edition, based on 2024 data and published January 2025.1 What’s in there we wonder? What percentage of of health visitors are able to provide continuity of carer to families ‘all or most of the time?’ This: There’s more: “I … Continue reading Babies in Scotland get more than twice as many home health visits and have twice the carer continuity that mums and dads want, than those in England

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BBC Scotland repeating the lie that hospital infections ‘led to deaths in patients’ in reporting that exploits tragedy for political purposes

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For the second day running, BBC Scotland seeks to misrepresent the findings of an official inquiry into a hospital-acquired infections inquiry. They tell us: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) had consistently denied bacteria in the water was responsible for causing some infections which led to the deaths of patients. But in closing submissions to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, external it has now admitted “on the balance of probabilities”, that there was a “causal connection” between some infections and the hospital environment. That’s correct, true, but you need to have your wits about you for for their next sneaky move. The above is … Continue reading BBC Scotland repeating the lie that hospital infections ‘led to deaths in patients’ in reporting that exploits tragedy for political purposes

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How a London-based think-tank is more trustworthy than a Glasgow one with a bias against the SNP

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By stewartb It’s been interesting to compare and contrast how two economic think tanks chose to comment upon the Scottish Government’s recent budget statement and Spending Review. Let’s take the Glasgow-based Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) on the Budget first: FAI (January 13) ‘A Budget where the silences were loudest.’ The up front framing made a good start! And on what the Cabinet Secretary did say, it’s tough to find anything remotely positive in the commentary. The FAI offers this further characterisation of the Budget: ‘Another case of delaying adjustment into the future’. Such a remark emphasises where the FAI ‘s own … Continue reading How a London-based think-tank is more trustworthy than a Glasgow one with a bias against the SNP

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Scottish think-tank – ‘Value judgements’ over analysis-based conclusions.

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By stewartb: As a regular reader of the output of the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI), I’m becoming increasingly disappointed in how it’s opting to express and emphasise what are ‘value judgements’ over analysis-based conclusions. Does it intend to become a quasi-political organisation? On January 15 this headline appeared above an FAI article: ‘Budget – day 3 reaction – Council tax & the Spending Review. Incoherent reforms to council tax: could have been worse, but not good enough.’ Within the piece we read (with my emphasis): ‘Scotland will follow the UK Government’s example and introduce higher taxes on higher value properties. Whereas … Continue reading Scottish think-tank – ‘Value judgements’ over analysis-based conclusions.

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‘Scottish’ Labour are not recognised by the Electoral Commission so can’t have a bank account – the billionaire bros six-figure gift will have to go into the UK Labour account but even if Anas gets some cash poll suggests it’ll just make things even worse for him

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After hearing of the above two bros giving lots of dosh to the Labour party branch in Scotland, I wondered two things, First, given that they don’t actually exist as a party on the Electoral Commission accounts, will the money have to go into the UK Labour account in England. Second, if Anas does get some of the cash, with too few supporters and even less vision, will he just make more of those YouTube videos that are pissing everyone off. You just want to see that video of your favourite band or singer and you have to watch Anas, … Continue reading ‘Scottish’ Labour are not recognised by the Electoral Commission so can’t have a bank account – the billionaire bros six-figure gift will have to go into the UK Labour account but even if Anas gets some cash poll suggests it’ll just make things even worse for him

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Graffiti on Edinburgh Mosque confirms Scotland’s far less hostile environment to disappoint ‘our’ media once more

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Readers may remember Theresa May’s hostile environment posters in 2013, were explicitly aimed to create a hostile environment for immigrants and their families already living here. The media in Scotland have clearly struggled to find equivalent phenomena here. Today BBC Scotland have found only: Police are investigating after racist graffiti was sprayed on the side of Edinburgh Central Mosque. The building, on Potterrow in the city centre, is thought to have been targeted with hate messages at about 21:30 on Friday. A spokesperson for the mosque said it was “deeply saddened and concerned” by the incident. They have been careful … Continue reading Graffiti on Edinburgh Mosque confirms Scotland’s far less hostile environment to disappoint ‘our’ media once more