Letters They Wouldn’t Publish No.1: What does Labour stand for?
Dear Editor, Scotsman (16th March 2021), It’s hard to know what Scottish Labour stands for apart from adhering to Sir Keir’s dictat that an independence referendum is verboten (Scottish Perspective, 16 March). No wonder Labour is hanging on by a thread. Nevertheless, Mr. Sarwar bravely plows on with his post-Covid recovery plan for Scotland that includes a ‘comeback’ plan for schools. His own kids are privately educated. He credits Labour with the creation of the NHS over 70 years ago, but ignores how both major parties have underfunded and privatised large chunks of the NHS, with more sell-offs to American … Continue reading Letters They Wouldn’t Publish No.1: What does Labour stand for?
The Guardian’s ironic deficit of understanding of our deficit of power
The self-identifying ‘liberal, progressive, leftist-a-wee-bit, quality’ newspaper which always reverts to loyalism in time of threat such as the Iraq War in 2003 or Scotland’s independence referendum in 2014, headlines David Davis, yes David Davis, well know former commando who always wears pants these days, I’m told. Davis did not, of course generate the headline which most Scots would reasonably, at first, think meant he was making the cased for greater powers for the Scottish Government, perhaps even independence. But, no, it’s about ‘strengthening the impartiality of the civil service.’ so that the Scottish Government can better investigate cases such … Continue reading The Guardian’s ironic deficit of understanding of our deficit of power
Back-handed compliment?
If Iain Macwhirter thinks alleged drunken trouser fumbling in a bar, a stupid lack of judgement in a text to a woman colleague, texting a 16 year-old boy and inappropriate but non-criminal behaviour toward women by a powerful man, put a political party in a crisis or suggests they are ‘losing the plot’ he needs to get out more. Perhaps, though, knowing how much worse some other parties are on bad behaviour, he’s just surprised that the SNP, now huge, should have any scandals at all? A back-handed compliment? The US Democrats have been led by at least one serial … Continue reading Back-handed compliment?
Where did you find that?
Look a this from the official report where the word violent appears only six times: See any sign there of violent crime going up? Me neither? Here’s what they’ve done. On page 39: They’ve taken the upper estimate, estimate remember, presented it as a hard fact and ignored the caveat of no significant change, actually pointed out just above the table: Table 3.1 examines results from key comparator years21 and shows that the estimated amount of violent crime experienced by adults:• has fallen by 39% since the 2008/09 baseline, from 317,000 to 194,000 incidents in 2019/20• has shown no change … Continue reading Where did you find that?
SNP accused of failing to get enough of us infected?
In the Herald today: Up to one in four adults in Scotland and nearly half of all over 75s now have antibodies to protect them against Covid, according to new estimates. However, Scotland has the lower prevalence of Covid antibodies of any of the UK nations, according to the latest survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). They do go on to explain in a grudging way but the damage is done. The many, who do not read on, have another dose of negativity about Scotland and by implication the SNP administration. There’s no suggestion that, over the whole pandemic, having an infection … Continue reading SNP accused of failing to get enough of us infected?
Are Scottish Conservatives now supporting mad Covid science?
According to a reliable source, the above leaflet is being delivered this morning by local Tory Councillor Cameron Rose for Newington Southside Edinburgh. The Great Barrington Declaration headed up by the most nutty of professors has been widely debunked. For example: Dr Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health, University of Southampton, said: “The Barrington Declaration is based upon a false premise – that governments and the scientific community wish for extensive lockdowns to continue until a vaccine is available. Lockdowns are only ever used when transmission is high, and now that we have some knowledge about how best … Continue reading Are Scottish Conservatives now supporting mad Covid science?
Don’t panic, it’s only a ‘vaccine bounce’
Mark McGeoghegan, well worth following, has a persuasive and encouraging take on recent polls. I can’t trace the source of these graphs, so I’m just taking them from: https://twitter.com/markmcgeoghegan So, after blanket media coverage, BBC carpet bombing, of the supposed SNP civil war, approval for the FM and Scot Gov falls but remains far above that of any competitors. Boris now slightly less disapproved of but Douglas Ross more disapproved of! Across 7 personality variables, the FM far ahead of Sarwar and Ross. Ross seen as pretty much thick, weak, dishonest and boring as… First Minister seen as more intelligent … Continue reading Don’t panic, it’s only a ‘vaccine bounce’
‘Almost all the cases/deaths were already baked in by that point’
A comment by a reader yesterday is worth reposting for maximum exposure: By Alex Lee-MacDonald It’s a very good point that often seems to be forgotten by both opponents and supporters of the Scottish Government – Scotland did not have any legal powers to lockdown until the (UK Parliament) Coronavirus Act 2020 was passed late on 25th March 2020 – https://www.sacc.org.uk/coronavirus/2020/lockdown-law-scotland. Prior to that, England and Wales had power to lockdown but Scotland did not – https://www.google.com/amp/s/ukconstitutionallaw.org/2020/04/01/jeff-king-the-lockdown-is-lawful/amp/. The first few days of lockdown 1, which were actually only advisory in Scotland until after the Coronavirus Act 2020 passed, probably only … Continue reading ‘Almost all the cases/deaths were already baked in by that point’
London-based expert puzzled as Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee supporter clubs report No cases of new ‘Squariant!’
Football Ground Zero? Some experts are confused. BBC Scotland had a London-based expert on to cast doubt on the SNP’s ‘Return-to-schools-for-votes‘ strategy’ but did not show her the map above. Here’s a thought. Schools re-opened three weeks ago, right across the country, everywhere, in your town, but the recent spike in infections has only happened in some places. Particularly confusing for some academics, football supporter clubs in Leith or Tynecastle in Edinburgh, Aberdeen West and Dundee Whitfield report no surge in cases. Labour and Conservative politicians are currently burning scarves and deleting tweets. Continue reading London-based expert puzzled as Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee supporter clubs report No cases of new ‘Squariant!’
London-based Tory ‘think-tank’ attacks Scottish education, hired by Gordon Brown
In the Herald today: Scottish education is stagnating and needs an injection of outside expertise to achieve better outcomes for pupils, a major report has warned. Analysis published by the Social Market Foundation and campaign group ScotlandCan says the schooling system is “cautious, conformist, risk averse and stuck in its ways”. The London-based Social Market Foundation was John Major’s favourite think tank before becoming close to Gordon Brown and New Labour. Both its former directors left to work with the Tories. It claims to ‘champion ideas that marry a pro-market orientation with concern for social justice.’ Blair’s long-dead ‘Third Way.’ ScotlandCan is a campaign run and … Continue reading London-based Tory ‘think-tank’ attacks Scottish education, hired by Gordon Brown
