The Ipsos poll published today has Public transport/roads 10th, with 18%, in the list of issues respondents say will affect their vote. Perhaps surprisingly, given the MSM obsession with them, no poll ever asks about ferries explicitly. An AI estimate, based on media coverage, of the breakdown is Potholes up to 50% of the 18% or 9%; CalMac 25-35% or 6%, A9 dualing 10-20% or 4% and others 10-15% or 2%. So, at worst, only 94% of voters will not consider the ferries when voting. Footnote – OCD prof predicted to keep wasting his time, despite the above, defending CalMac, … Continue reading CalMac ‘concerns’ predicted to have almost no effect on Holyrood election result despite media carpet bombing

In the Telegraph yesterday, the above and: They were not wrong. Back in September last year, they had: Scotland plots uncapped council tax rises for second home owners – Green Party’s ‘pile on the costs’ proposal will be ‘gold standard’ for tackling homelessness. Councils in Scotland are poised to be granted powers to penalise second home owners with uncapped council tax premiums. ‘Plots’ not ‘plans?’ On the Second Homes Tax, I know, based on the evidence that matters, access to a decent home for local people on moderate incomes, it is a good thing and the more it has effect the … Continue reading Fantastic news as Telegraph accurately predicts its readers with second homes in Scotland WILL face uncapped tax rises of up to 500%

From Accident and emergency Accredited official statistics, published today, for Type 1 emergency departments, in February 2026: These are dramatic falls in one month. Continue reading Massive fall in numbers waiting in A&E in Scotland in February including 24% drop in 12 hour waits

From Public Health Scotland‘s Cancelled planned operations Month ending 28 February 2026, published today, the above, and: There were 25,520 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 6.7% higher (+1,595) than the number planned in February 2025 (23,925). Over the course of the last 12 months, from March 2025 to February 2026 (304,044), there was a 6.7% increase (+19,154) compared to the previous 12 months (284,890). This reflects the post-Covid pandemic trend of generally increasing planned operations, although numbers are yet to reach those typical of the pre-pandemic period. Of all planned operations during February 2026 in … Continue reading NHS Scotland carries out 20 000 more operations in the last 12 months with nearly 98% completed as planned