It’s been some time since I reported good news for the economy but, in the wake of the LSE report suggesting optimism for the Scottish economy after independence: Here is the LSE report they don’t want you to read This more immediate evidence from KPMG is encouraging. In Insider today: As the anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown has passed and the rollout of the vaccine programme provides a brighter outlook, it is clear that Scottish businesses have also entered a new phase. Evidence from the Insider/KPMG Business Ambitions 2021 Survey suggests companies have indeed turned a corner in terms of sentiment. … Continue reading 90% of Scottish businesses either plan to hire more or maintain staff levels

There’s so much more to be said about today’s Covid figure’s but the Herald offers you that? Have you been usefully informed? How do you feel? Still anxious? Feel like tasking out a subscription? Often we see no Covid deaths on a Sunday or a Monday because registration offices are shut on Saturdays and Sundays but no deaths reported on a Saturday means there were no deaths on a day when they were open. That’s the best news we’ve had for some time and the Herald misses it. 400 new cases? Sounds a lot. Is it? Well it’s down on … Continue reading What a relief, no deaths on a Friday for the first time since September 11th 2020

I’m grateful to JD for tracking this down: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/scottish-independence-cost/ While Scottish independence would have immediate economic costs, history suggests there are long-term benefits By contrasting Scotland and England to the Slovak Republic and Czech Republic’s ‘Velvet Divorce’, Richard Mackenzie-Gray Scott and Geoffrey Chapman suggest that an independent Scotland will continue growing real GDP per capita despite higher trade costs. ================================ In light of the ongoing challenges facing the UK, the idea of Scottish independence seems unpalatable to many, but the news implies strong support. The Scottish government has recently published draft legislation for the holding of another referendum. Numerous polls … Continue reading Here is the LSE report they don’t want you to read

How’s that for an unusual headline? Will it intrigue or deter. I’ll tell you later. Now, sitting next to a pile of SNP leaflets and planning to pound the streets gently (arthritis) delivering them this afternoon, I am absolutely not breaking ranks at this crucial time, but I do wish the FM would step back and concentrate her fire on the real opposition. However, it matters little: ‘Yes supporters, ‘the troops’ do not read the Herald and so tales of schisms and civil wars have little if any affect in heating up their tempers.’ That’s my thesis. What’s my evidence? … Continue reading Shouting ‘Theatre!’ into a fire without incendiary facts needed to heat up the troops

NOTE: I’m just curious. I’m not suggesting anyone should vote in any way whatsoever. Survation’s poll for the Courier in the days just following the announcement of the formation of the Alba Party had what seemed like a devastating finding, that only 3% would support it. Some have suggested that the field work took place before Salmond’s leadership was announced and others have stressed that it was a very early poll for a new party, anyway. While I’m no expert on these matters, I was surprised that the figure was so low. On the first day of the new party, … Continue reading Can’t help but wonder about that 3%

When the P&J published their Survation/DC Thomson poll they were keen to keep something out of the headline – a six point lead for Yes with EU membership: And, note the 10 point lead for women and massive leads for the younger population. I’m ashamed of my age group. We shouldn’t be allowed to vote. So, with the above in mind, all of the last four polls have really been clear margins for Yes. Back on track. Continue reading P&J poll made to reveal 6 point lead for Yes with EU membership and complete 4 in a row!

The Herald’s longest running series ‘Nicola takes our schools to hell and back‘, has moved on from weekly demands to get jagged before other occupations, to delay the return of the weanbairns and now to claims some are being driven away by unstable and uncertain employment conditions. Teachers, insecure employment? I’m hard pushed to think of a profession more secure where so few have to leave because they’ve failed in some way. The EIS is the NUM of the 21st Century. Anyhow, it seems they’re being driven way. Dare I ask what the evidence is? Ah, obviously, there will be … Continue reading It’s a disgrace alright; the endless ‘weaponising’ of teachers

I’ve had to modify the BBC Scotland headline choice to represent more accurately the situation. They had: Covid in Scotland: Sixty-one new deaths registered in past week It’s not inaccurate. It’s just depressing when other news could be reported. Those who watch more TV news are more likely to be depressed or anxious. They do note below: According to National Records of Scotland (NRS) that was a fall of five from the previous week and a decrease of 166 from the previous month. But, that’s not the headline they feel you need at this time. Remember, I’m not suggesting a … Continue reading Massive fall in death rate not good for our mental health?

I’m grateful to Leah Gunn Barrett for drawing my attention this letter in the Scotsman, confirming a lack of at least monolithic institutional SNPbadism at the Scotsman, just the presence in its columns of too many Scotland in Union activists: Louis de Bernieres lists a dozen questions that the “people of the UK are entitled to have answers to”. The first thing to note is that some of the questions presuppose that the UK is not a union of equals. There is an assumption that the 1707 Act of Union was an act on annexation; that the UK’s currency and the … Continue reading Separation can be smooth or bumpy

Virtually all MSM attention in Scotland has focused on the risks that the implementation of the Gender Recognition Act by the SNP Government, to protect the rights of Trans people, may pose for ‘hard-won’ women’s rights and on the ‘flight’ from the party by, loosely, ‘Gender Critical Feminists’. Other parties, such as the Lib Dems, have escaped any scrutiny, ‘under the radar.’ This is one of many areas in which I am not competent to be pontificating but as I understand things, both Trans groups and women are far too often the victims of discrimination, including predominantly male violence, monstrous … Continue reading No place for women?