I fully agree that we should stick to the rules but can we not hear a wee bit of good news to encourage us? The Herald’s lack of context would have you think: ‘THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE, OH NO!’ But, hey that’s the lowest since the end of September 2020, SIX MONTHS AGO! And in hospitals, only 215, the lowest since October 4th 2020, 5 months ago. Continue reading Infections at lowest level since September 28th

Today’s Panelbase/Sunday Times poll suggests an overall majority of 1 for the SNP but a pro-independence ‘super-majority of 29. Support for the new Alba Party at 6% is double that reported in the Survation/Courier poll which allegedly completed its field work only one day earlier, on the 30th March. From the Times (data tables are not yet published): Today’s poll of 1,009 adults on March 30-April 1 puts the SNP on 49 per cent in the constituency vote (+2 since last month), with the Tories on 22 per cent (-1), Labour unchanged on 20, the Lib Dems on 6 per … Continue reading Latest poll: Overall SNP majority, Sarwar disappoints and support for Alba doubles in 1 day

It’s been some time since I reported good news for the economy but, in the wake of the LSE report suggesting optimism for the Scottish economy after independence: Here is the LSE report they don’t want you to read This more immediate evidence from KPMG is encouraging. In Insider today: As the anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown has passed and the rollout of the vaccine programme provides a brighter outlook, it is clear that Scottish businesses have also entered a new phase. Evidence from the Insider/KPMG Business Ambitions 2021 Survey suggests companies have indeed turned a corner in terms of sentiment. … Continue reading 90% of Scottish businesses either plan to hire more or maintain staff levels

There’s so much more to be said about today’s Covid figure’s but the Herald offers you that? Have you been usefully informed? How do you feel? Still anxious? Feel like tasking out a subscription? Often we see no Covid deaths on a Sunday or a Monday because registration offices are shut on Saturdays and Sundays but no deaths reported on a Saturday means there were no deaths on a day when they were open. That’s the best news we’ve had for some time and the Herald misses it. 400 new cases? Sounds a lot. Is it? Well it’s down on … Continue reading What a relief, no deaths on a Friday for the first time since September 11th 2020

I’m grateful to JD for tracking this down: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/scottish-independence-cost/ While Scottish independence would have immediate economic costs, history suggests there are long-term benefits By contrasting Scotland and England to the Slovak Republic and Czech Republic’s ‘Velvet Divorce’, Richard Mackenzie-Gray Scott and Geoffrey Chapman suggest that an independent Scotland will continue growing real GDP per capita despite higher trade costs. ================================ In light of the ongoing challenges facing the UK, the idea of Scottish independence seems unpalatable to many, but the news implies strong support. The Scottish government has recently published draft legislation for the holding of another referendum. Numerous polls … Continue reading Here is the LSE report they don’t want you to read

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?