Has a 73 year-old, part-time OCD, retired prof, beaten the Herald into submission as they scuttle their troubled ferry fiasco newsletter?
By Captain Professor John Robertson OBA Where’s the link to the Herald’s much-vaunted Ferries Newsletter? From TuS reader Stephen McKenzie, today: Slightly off topic, but the Heralds “Scotland’s Ferries” tab at the top of their on-line version seems to be missing these days? Ok, I know that when you clicked it, it took you to any topic unrelated to ferries, but that was part of its fun appeal. Good question. Gooood question. It’s not in the banner. It’s not listed as a newsletter at: https://www.heraldscotland.com/newsletters/ Has Captain Maritime Williams of the BS Herald gone down? With his ‘ship?’ I’ve written nearly 170 … Continue reading Has a 73 year-old, part-time OCD, retired prof, beaten the Herald into submission as they scuttle their troubled ferry fiasco newsletter?
Winner of ‘fake health news’ award churns out ‘fake health news ‘ on NHS Scotland to hide its clear-cut superiority
By Professor John Robertson OBA Helen Puttick, ‘Scottish Health Correspondent’, above, winner the 2023 Sarah Hughes Trust Prize ‘for journalism that exposes misleading health information’ was in the Times on Saturday past with: SNP’s failure to reform has left NHS in Scotland flatlining. In England Wes Streeting is demanding change in return for extra funding but north of the border the service continues to stagnate under Neil Gray. As Neil Gray, Scottish health secretary, defended his chauffeur-driven trips to watch his favourite football team this week, frontline medical staff in Scotland wondered if there may yet be another changing of the guard. … Continue reading Winner of ‘fake health news’ award churns out ‘fake health news ‘ on NHS Scotland to hide its clear-cut superiority
Rape – how ‘your’ media choose to make you feel and how you feel affects how you vote
By Professor John Robertson OBA Today, the BBC Scotland News Editor (James Cook) chooses to include 2 rape reports in the 7 top stories. BBC England, Wales and Northern Ireland have none. Will that just be because there were none to report? There were 67 928 reported rape offences in England and Wales last year.1 There were 294 reported rapes and attempted rapes (rape offences) in Scotland, in the same year.2 There were, thus, 231 times (67 928 / 294) as many rape offences in England in Wales and even per head of population, rape offences were (231/11) 21 times as many. … Continue reading Rape – how ‘your’ media choose to make you feel and how you feel affects how you vote
The Arran ferry service is one of the best in the world and the Mail’s Jonathon Brocklebank’s account is ill-informed, politicised, gossip
By Professor John Robertson, Genuine Ferry Correspondent From Jonathon Brocklebank of the ‘Scottish’ Daily Mail, today: People rely on the ferries to get on and off Arran. But the SNP’s ruinous handling of our lifeline service means that it is simply no longer fit for purpose Here’s what he missed: First, The MV Caledonian Isles was taken off the Arran/Ayrshire (Ardrossan or Troon) service and replaced by the MV Alfred to partner the MV Isle of Arran. There has been 1 cancellation, with these two vessels in the last 100 sailings – 99% reliable. https://www.calmac.co.uk/calmac-performance-data-browser?date=27%2F09%2F2024 The brand new MV Glen Sannox … Continue reading The Arran ferry service is one of the best in the world and the Mail’s Jonathon Brocklebank’s account is ill-informed, politicised, gossip
Affluent Washington State has only 15 out of 21 ferries serviceable and new ferries will not arrive till 2028 – CalMac has 32 out of 34 in service and four arriving this year or next for a smaller population
By Professor John Robertson, International Ferry Correspondent From King TV, Seattle, USA, today: Residents said they are thankful for the ferries and they are special to the area. But the shortage of boats can cause issues. Right now, three routes are not running at full service and sometimes ferries need to be moved around to help fill gaps. “That puts us in trouble when we’re trying to get back and forth all the time and they’re down a ferry, then it’s backed up at the ferry terminal, so that gets to be a pain,” said Judy Lindquist, a Port Orchard … Continue reading Affluent Washington State has only 15 out of 21 ferries serviceable and new ferries will not arrive till 2028 – CalMac has 32 out of 34 in service and four arriving this year or next for a smaller population
NHS England deliberately lying about longer A&E waits to conceal massive crisis, FIVE times greater, and prevent comparison with Scotland, missed by Sky News
By Professor John Robertson OBA From Sky News two days ago, the above and: The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England last month was the third-highest ever. Some 49,592 had to endure the long wait – up from 38,880 in September – as experts warned of patients “languishing on trolleys” in corridors. https://news.sky.com/story/long-aande-waits-rise-amid-warning-of-corridor-care-disaster-and-very-difficult-winter-13254197?s=03 It’s worse, probably far worse than that. Had Sky looked at the NHS England data, they’d see: Number of patients spending >12 hours from decision to admit to admission https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ In Scotland, the A&E clock starts when you walk in the door … Continue reading NHS England deliberately lying about longer A&E waits to conceal massive crisis, FIVE times greater, and prevent comparison with Scotland, missed by Sky News
Shock as some heart ops no longer possible in NHS Wales but Health Secretary not questioned
By Professor John Robertson OBA From BBC Wales, yesterday: Some major vascular operations will no longer be going ahead in north Wales, a health board has announced. Betsi Cadwaladr health board said it was pausing its provision of planned and emergency open abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) surgery to help improve its other care. The health board confirmed there had been an “incident”, but said the decision was not based solely on this and other vascular care would continue as normal. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gp58z7pr2o Wow! Dramatic news. The Health Secretary will be challenged? Nope Opposition politicians call it a scandal? Nope, not a word. How … Continue reading Shock as some heart ops no longer possible in NHS Wales but Health Secretary not questioned
Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze
By Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Breakfast this morning looked at the increasing cost of living, in particular council tax increases. They didn’t compare costs across the UK. In March 2024: While Labour, Tory and LibDem councils tried to impose big council tax hikes, it was an SNP government which has protected family budgets during this cost-of-living crisis. As well as showing a clear difference between the SNP and the Westminster parties, it also stands as an example to show voters how decisions made in Scotland prove better for the people of Scotland. It was the SNP that delivered a policy to protect people during … Continue reading Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze
As the poor struggle to pay more for less in England, Scotland’s cheaper, cleaner drinking water
Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method – Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421 Professor John Robertson OBA On BBC Breakfast today, we see an extended report on high and increasing water bills and hardship for the less well off, across England. From Policy Mogul, AI assisted fact checker, on 3 November 2024: Scottish taxpayers pay less for their water than their English counterparts, thanks to public ownership, with the average water bill in Scotland around £438 a year – £35 a year cheaper than the average bill of … Continue reading As the poor struggle to pay more for less in England, Scotland’s cheaper, cleaner drinking water
Council leader pleads pleads not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour but is not SNP so there’s no need to mention the Labour Party, it seems
BBC Scotland has only one report on this: Council leader charged over ‘domestic assault’ Even the National takes time to mention the party: THE leader of Inverclyde Council has stepped down from his role after appearing in court earlier today. Councillor Stephen McCabe pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour at Greenock Sheriff Court. The council has confirmed that McCabe’s Labour colleague, Natasha McGuire, will deputise until a new leader is appointed. Try searching for BBC SNP councillor? Just this year: Former council co-leader quits SNP over bus gates Three Aberdeenshire SNP councillors to step down an … Continue reading Council leader pleads pleads not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour but is not SNP so there’s no need to mention the Labour Party, it seems
