Two sub-polls for the more reliable YouGov and Ipsos MORI on the same days giving 50% and 52%: Ipsos MORI with 130 Scots adults on 2-4 December Con      22% Lab      12% Lib       12% SNP     50% Green  0% Brexit  2% YouGov with 146 adult Scots on 2-3 December Con      25% Lab      11% Lib       7% SNP     52% Green  2% Brexit  0% They’re just sub-polls with all the usual qualifications but two of them getting pretty similar results for all three big parties suggests something we can, perhaps, get a wee buzz from. Continue reading SNP Surge?

Only one week to go and the SNP are still strong in the polls despite the daily health scares on BBC Scotland. What can they do? FGM? No! Surely, they wouldn’t try to exaggerate that. On Reporting Scotland last night, we heard an extended report into the dreadful phenomenon of FGM. The reporter told us that ‘medics in our cities’ had reported more than 200 cases in the last two years. According to Police Scotland there were 28 cases in 2018. The official figures for 2019 are not yet released. https://www.scotland.police.uk/assets/pdf/434027/526774/526824/19-2024-response?view=Standard A Freedom of Information request to police Scotland revealed … Continue reading Babies and wee girls dying, women with breast cancer and suicidal young men AND NOW Reporting Scotland brings you FGM and more of it than there is, of course.

Here’s the up-to-date evidence: Access to a GP Based on a Scottish survey published in July 2019, we can see that while overall levels of satisfaction with the quality of the service offered by GPs did not differ significantly, it is in the ease of access that the Scottish system seems to be performing much better:  93% reporting 2-day access! GP Workload According to BBC Scotland News in June 2019: ‘Patients should get appointments with GPs lasting at least 15 minutes rather than 10, according to the Royal College of GPs. In a report, it warns nearly 40% of GPs in Scotland feel overwhelmed by their … Continue reading 93% can see a GP in 2 days but Herald Health Correspondent lies for 4th time as election looms

From the BBC yesterday: Hospitals in England closed more than 1,100 beds in the past week because of the winter vomiting bug norovirus. Data shows higher than average levels of norovirus in November. One of the most common stomach bugs in the UK, it can be spread very easily in the community. In the 19th paragraph: Wales and Northern Ireland have also seen an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea or flu-like illnesses over the last few weeks, particularly in schools and care homes. In the 23rd and last paragraph: ‘In Scotland, there has been no increase in norovirus cases in … Continue reading Norovirus infection rates have soared across the UK except in Scotland, so First Minister why have YOU not been able to increase Norovirus infection levels after 12 years in power?

First Minister, after 12 years in power, why have YOU not been able to leave mental patients languishing for months? This extended BBC report at 6 and on the website had not a word of blame for Health Secretary Hancock nor for any politician at all yet in Scotland two days ago, ONLY the SNP are to be blamed and all of the opposition parties are to invited to blame them: Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton reiterated demands for increased investment and called for the Scottish Government to publish its overdue integrated workforce plan, setting out how it … Continue reading Patients with mental illnesses are left languishing for months on hidden waiting lists in England but no heads need roll

Ludo Thierry Hi John – Newsnet.Scotland carrying some useful associated info today – Good to see such a respected business figure in the fishing industry cut through all the britnat media spin and come out to publicly back SNP policy (and that the P+J carry the story). Also useful info re. quadrupling of sales value of nephrops catch over a 4 year period. Link and snippets below: https://newsnet.scot/news-analysis/fishing-industry-boss-backs-snp-at-general-election/ William Tait snr of Fraserburgh-based Klondyke Fishing Company called on fishermen to now back the SNP at the general election on 12th December according to a report in the Press & Journal. … Continue reading Leading fishing company owner backs SNP!

Ludo Thierry Beeb Scotland is carrying the Scotrail improved timetable story – but – in this reader’s view – NOT offering the story the same sort of prominence that we routinely see with their more frequent ‘Scotrail Are Rubbish’ (and Scotland by extension is also rubbish) pieces. Anyway – In view of the major improvements Scotrail has announced (including opening the NEW station at Robroyston) it is clear that HUMZA MUST GO!. Link and snippets below: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50652437 ScotRail has vowed that the latest changes to timetables across the country will add 10,000 extra seats for passengers each day. The improvements, … Continue reading Trains, trains and more trains but BBC Scotland grudging

Ludo Thierry Hi all – This beeb article which gives favourable mention to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (and, positively, brackets Nicola with 2 other national leaders – those of Iceland and New Zealand) was cunningly positioned in the beeb Science pages! – If the story did appear on the beeb Scotland pages then I certainly missed it – and so must a heck of a lot of us). Beeb Science webpage comes up trumps again. Link and snippets below: Iceland’s prime minister has urged governments to adopt green and family-friendly priorities, instead of just focusing on economic growth figures. Katrin … Continue reading First Minister praised

Ludo Thierry Another (sensible and socially just) brick was, today, cemented in place in the edifice of the New and Better Scotland we are, together, building. Get out there and vote SNP folks, bring that better future another step closer still. Link and snippets below: Private schools are to have their charitable status removed and be made to pay business rates, the Scottish government has confirmed. The announcement means the schools will no longer get relief of up to 20% on their bills for non-domestic rates. The change, recommended three years ago, will come into effect on 1 September next … Continue reading Scottish private schools to pay their way