Jun12 https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/dugcast-fae-the-dughoose-with-prof-john-robertson/ Continue reading Dugcast fae the dughoose – with Prof John Robertson

By stewartb I’m obliged to Peter A. Bell for the alert to an article published on 10 June by the UK Constitutional Law Association (UKLA). Sources: G. Davies and D. Wincott, ‘Brexit, the press and the territorial constitution’, U.K. Const. L. Blog (10th June 2020) (https://ukconstitutionallaw.org/) On the subject of four major court judgments made after the 2016 EU referendum, the Davies and Wincott examine the volumes of media coverage in publications in each of the four UK nations. Using quantitative content and thematic analyses, they examined the coverage of these judgments in newspapers in England (Daily Mail, Independent), Scotland … Continue reading Media outlets display inability to distinguish between English and devolved governance

From stewartb: There has been much ‘fun’ on twitter over the last 12 hours or so at the expense of BBC Scotland and specifically the way one of its journalists tweeted about an environmental target of the Scottish Government. Deserved ridicule is being shown for this: Of course there is ‘fun’ to be had on what is a single, minor example but the TuSC knows only too well this is indicative of a deeper malaise within the public service broadcasting organisation – as has been evidenced time and time again. It may be that the author of the tweet is … Continue reading Stop laughing at the back!

Given the clear divergence in strategy, between England and Scotland, in the last month or more, it’s worth looking at possible effects on more recent infection rates and death rates. Scotland’s 7 day average for new infections is 17 and for new deaths is 6: https://www.travellingtabby.com/scotland-coronavirus-tracker/ England’s 7 day average for new infections is 241 and for new UK deaths is 196: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ Note: For some reason England-only deaths are not published. So at just over 10 times the population, England should have, pro rata, a daily average of 170 news cases but has 241, 42% higher. At 12 times … Continue reading Covid divergence effect: UK death rate in last week nearly three times higher than in Scotland

There are two widely popular myths here. First, there is the myth that Nicola Sturgeon’s presentation skills are concealing an actual failure on the ground. As the awful truth of what has happened in Tory England emerges, Scotland’s apparently superior performance cannot be accepted. From the Herald’s Macwhirter to the FT and now the often very good, Independent, otherwise informed media commentators are promoting the inaccurate statements from Scottish Labour and Conservatives. It’s wrong and I’ll repeat the evidence why it’s wrong below. Second, there is the myth that Scotland’s death rate is the third highest in the world. I’ll … Continue reading Even the ‘intelligent’ media cannot be trusted to tell the truth about Scotland and the virus

By Brenda Steele: It didn’t surprise me much when Jackson Carlaw demanded transparency at FMQs last month nor did the screaming headline of the Express   Nicola Sturgeon savaged in fiery FMQs clash – SNP leader rages at ‘cover-up’ claims NICOLA STURGEON unleashed her frustration at accusations of an SNP coronavirus cover-up in Scotland during First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) as Jackson Carlaw demanded more transparency. Wed, May 20, 2020 https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1284713/Nicola-Sturgeon-Scotland-fmqs-coronavirus-Nike-conference-Jackson-Carlaw   I assume that Mr Carlaw did not know that the majority of the infected were in fact from England, thus they were the responsibility of the English authorities and … Continue reading Does Ian Murray understand the consequences of giving up patient confidentiality for “transparency”?

In a stinging condemnation of both the performance and the lack of purpose of the Scottish Office, the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday, was reported in the Holyrood Magazine last night: Freeman also said that the Scotland Office had not played any role in the relations between the UK and Scottish governments, going as far as to say that she could not remember having any communications with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack. While the Scotland Office is copied in to some letters between Freeman and Hancock, she said she was “not aware … Continue reading SNP Health Secretary exposes irrelevance of Scottish Office and Scottish Secretary

Called to the Scottish Affairs Committee apparently to answers questions from the likes of wee Andrew Bowie, Jeane Freeman seems to have taken no prisoners, dispensing quickly with the Scottish Secretary then identifying the failures in the UK Government’s performance. Freeman referred to a vacuum between the two governments, wondered why Cobra had not met since 10th of May and condemned the UK Government’s habit of deciding unilaterally what they would do before then merely communicating that to the devolved nations. Contrasting the two governments, she said: Our approach differs, from what I observe from UK Government approach, in that … Continue reading Scottish Health Secretary slams UK Government for failure to co-operate on pandemic