Using the graphics from Mark McGeoghegan (https://twitter.com/markmcgeoghegan), if you take account of the ‘probables’ it’s more like 44% to 39% or, if you also split the dks, it’s 51% to 46%. If you look at the age groups as David Francis tweeted: David Francis@beith123·5h Under 55 years of age – 63% YES Under 45 years of age – 68% YES Under 35 years of age – 70% YES The future belongs to us? No it’s not a Nazi line. You’re thinking of the made up Hitler Youth song, ‘Tomorrow belongs to me‘, in the film ‘Cabaret‘ and written by two … Continue reading Opinium Poll: Why it’s probably even better than 44% to 43%

The Covid death rate in Scotland has now fallen to the lowest in the UK, after several months as the second-lowest and is 67th in the world. The UK rate is 50th and Wales is 57th. Scotland’s vaccination rate, the highest in the UK on the first vaccine and nearly the highest on the second vaccine, is a major factor. Continue reading Covid death rate in Scotland lowest in the UK

This is another trade union / media scare story based on deliberate misrepresentation of the data. It follows from another in the Record, two weeks ago and explanation is the same. See this: In the Record two days ago, the report of a tragic error. Without knowing the whole story, I hesitate but it does look like a mistake was made. However, the report had these features: Yesterday the man’s heartbroken family, who asked not to be identified, called for answers on the “despicable” delay in getting him emergency treatment. And Helena’s husband Graham, 67, called for government action to tackle ambulance … Continue reading Misrepresentation

In recent times, Opinium have not had a majority for No so it seems likely that their sampling differs from that of , especially, Savanta who regularly provide the Scotsman with the negative results they desire. This is the first Yes majority since the end of April and the first poll, at all, since early August. It is also evidence that the SNP/Green deal is popular. Within the data there was also a massive lead for the SNP (51%) over the Tories (21%) and Labour (17%) suggesting that MSM failures to challenge the double standards of Douglas Ross have not … Continue reading Yes ahead again in wake of SNP/Greens agreement

According to Healthcare News yesterday vaccine passports are ‘widely deployed‘ across Europe and: Vaccine passports in large indoor venues and nightclubs in England will be required at the end of September.   UK vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi, who in February described vaccine passports as ‘discriminatory’ has now said it was the right time to start the scheme for sites with large crowds.   https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/emea/vaccine-passports-start-england-following-widespread-deployment-across-europe There will be no vote on this in England so Douglas Ross’ hypocrisy will not be fully tested but, we all know he and his Westminster team would not dare to vote against it, yet it … Continue reading Double standards

When the facts change, I change my mind. The Scottish Government has clearly change its mind on setting up a not-for-profit company to deliver cheap energy for those who need it but they have not given up on the underlying intentions. This is just the first of many attempts by the Scotsman to try to split the SNP/Greens alliance. In the Programme for Government, but conveniently ignored, we can read: Increase funding for home energy and green heating systems installations; provide £50 million for Warmer Homes Scotland to support those in fuel poverty through the heat transition; and investing £30 … Continue reading The SNP/Greens crowbar emerges

That headline has nothing to do with the First Minister. The Metro is not an explicitly anti-SNP organ so a cheap commercial tactic, attracting sales and clicks online, seems likely to explain it but it still adds to the demonising of the SNP leader and to a potential reduction in support. Continue reading Dishonest

In July 2021, 19,587 people started psychological therapies treatment in NHS Boards and NHS 24. This is an increase of 8.1% (1,464) from the previous quarter, and also an increase of 81.0% (8,767) from the same quarter the previous year. Half of the people started their treatment within 2 weeks. More than four out of five (82.7%) people started their treatment within 18 weeks, compared to 80.5% for the previous quarter, and 74.7% for the quarter ending June 2020.  This is another great achievement by NHS Scotland which the opposition parties will try to present as a failure because an … Continue reading 83% receive psychological therapies within target despite large increase in demand

In July 2021, 10,193 children and young people were referred to CAMHS in Scotland for the quarter ending June 2021 which is the highest in the trend since records began. This compares to 7,883 for the previous quarter, and 4,052 for the quarter ending June 2020. Despite this 28% increase in demand, over seven out of ten (72.6%) children and young people were seen within 18 weeks, which is an increase from 61.7% for the quarter ending June 2020.  This is an astonishing achievement which, of course, our MSM will twist into bad news about not meeting an essentially aspirational … Continue reading Waiting times performance maintained despite huge increase in referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

In July 2021, NHS Scotland’s Accident & Emergency services saw 81.5% of patients within 4 hours. Only 2.8% waited more than 8 hours and only 0.6% waited more than 12 hours. In the same period, NHS England’s performance fell to the lowest figure ever recorded – 67.7%. They do not seem to publish the percentages for those waiting longer but simple arithmetic estimation suggests many more do. Also, attendance at Scotland’s A&E departments was much higher with 132 595 compared to 847 679. With 10 times the population, NHS England should be receiving 1 320 000, roughly, 50% more. Sources: … Continue reading Scotland’s Accident/Emergency services 20% better as NHS England fall to lowest ever