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?

Scottish Labour has announced plans for a commission to “clean up Holyrood” and restore trust in the Scottish Parliament.  Party leader Anas Sarwar said both Holyrood and the Scottish Government have been allowed to descend into “a bit of a joke” in recent weeks.  Anas Sarwar, in the Herald, above, revealing his lack of a sense of irony and his immersion in the Holyrood/MSM bubble, detached from what any potential supporters might actually think. First, that the Scottish Parliament is the one requiring a plan: In 2019, 61% of people said they trusted the Scottish Government to work in Scotland’s … Continue reading Scottish Labour and trust? Nope, not working for me.

On February 2nd, BBC Scotland were keen to talk about NHS Scotland’s vaccination rates which were lower overall BECAUSE it was tackling the more difficult care homes, AS the JCVI told it to do: Twice as many were to die in English care homes in 2021, because of their failure to follow the advice but that was not news it seems. Soon after, the care home residents had been made safe and NHS Scotland began to overtake NHS England. By the 7th February, they were vaccinating 20% more and BBC Scotland announced that we were nevertheless broadly, in line with … Continue reading Scotland vaccinates 31% more for last 7 days!

Duncan Hothersall, right-wing Fabian and Blairite, with Sarwar and Baillie, reveals his true colours (blues) with the above tweet. Their attitude to free school dinners is a regular indicator of their lack of empathy for any of their own voters. Last year, I wrote: In the Education, Communities and Justice committee on Thursday: Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what provision will be made for the delivery of free school meals when schools are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s deeply moving, well more stomach-churning, to hear from the leader of the right-wing in Scottish Labour Unionist … Continue reading Scottish Labour opposes free school meals again