By stewartb Emulate Singapore? What would this take: what would it cost us? From a profile of Singapore published in 2021: https://freedomhouse.org/country/singapore/freedom-world/2021 ‘Singapore’s parliamentary political system has been dominated by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and the family of current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong since 1959. The electoral and legal framework that the PAP has constructed allows for some political pluralism, but it constrains the growth of opposition parties and limits freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.’ ‘The current prime minster, Lee Hsien Loong, has been in power since 2004 and secured a new mandate after the July 2020 parliamentary elections. … Continue reading Tom Hunter – Scotland should emulate Singapore? What would this take: what would it cost us?

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Scottish Sunday Post, today, the above and: It’s a UK poll of 569 primary school teachers so around 50 in Scotland of whom 77% or 38 thought the above. Less that 0.2% of more than 25 000 across Scotland. It’s not even slightly credible. Continue reading Sunday Post claims 77% of Scots children are losing ability to use pencil based on less than 0.2% of 25 000 Scottish Primary teachers

Professor John Robertson OBA John McLeod of the Daily Mail on 14 May 2025, had: A mainland excursion by ferry? I’m taking a chance on the antique boat show – I am meant to be in Glasgow next Thursday evening for some glitzy function – all starched shirtfronts and varnished hors d’oeuvres – but between the mainland and I are miles of roiling Hebridean sea. And, as so often these days in the Western Isles, few plans of action survive contact with Caledonian MacBrayne. The ship in question, the Hebrides – just scant weeks back from her annual overhaul – has a … Continue reading John McLeod of the Daily Mail wouldn’t know an ‘antique’ ferry if it…..

Professor John Robertson OBA The SDM today has For Heaven’s sake just fix the leaks! front page. I’m not arguing against the idea of fixing leaks but it’s worth getting the figures in perspective. Perspective? The Mail? Yes, I know. What is that perspective? Covering about 2% of Scotland’s land area, our rivers and lochs contain 90% of the UK’s surface freshwater. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.environment.gov.scot/media/1172/water.pdf Why is it so important to plug all the leaks in some other parts of the UK? One of the biggest challenges facing the water supply network in the UK is ensuring that supplies do not run … Continue reading For Heaven’s sake just fix the leaks in the South-East where they have less water than Syria should be the ‘Scottish’ Daily Mail’s message

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Telegraph today, the above and: A wave of violence The flames have been there for all to see. Over six weeks in March and April, there were more than a dozen arson attacks in the two cities, with cars, homes, garages and businesses set alight. In other incidents, shots have been fired and two people, a pensioner and a 12-year-old boy, seriously assaulted by men wearing masks. I’m not for a minute doubting the trauma for those affected but these events are relatively local and minor compared with this: From the Daily Mail on February 3rd … Continue reading The unreported English gangs really tearing Scotland apart