After falling to the 7th of March, then levelling until the 9th, the number of new Covid cases in Scotland has begun to climb for the first time since the end of December 2020. From 466 new cases on the 9th March, we now have a sequence of 691, 591 and today, 682. It’s maybe a bit early to worry but it is worthy of attention. The average time before symptoms show is 4 to 5 days. Today, 392 of the 682 were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and in Lanarkshire. Since the 7th March, the trend has been flat … Continue reading What could have caused infection levels to climb especially in Glasgow and surrounding areas?

In 2019/20, there were 14 female victims of homicide in Scotland and in England and Wales, 188.[i] [ii] England and Wales have 10.88 times the population of Scotland so, all things being equal, might be expected to have 152 female victims but have 188, 24% higher. Now, I am absolutely not saying that statistical significance, which 24% more is, means that there is anything at all to be content or complacent about. I agree, that this high profile murder is only the visible edge of an epidemic of abuse of women across the UK. I am saying that no facts … Continue reading Is the murder of women significantly lower in Scotland?

Looking at the YouGov poll for 4th – 8th March, which suggests a 2 point lead for NO and a 3 point fall in SNP support, I was browsing the M/F and age ratios to see they made sense. They do, but when I looked at the sample in terms of region, something struck me. It may or may not have been a worthwhile strike. One of you will know. Anyhow, here is the distribution and the Yes/No ratio: Region                                    Electors                  Sample                   Yes          No North East Scotland            ?                              164/164                 44           56 Highlands & Islands             … Continue reading Is Poll biased against Glasgow? I should probably ask an expert

In the latest attempt to get a scalp, the evil wee axis of Tories, Labour and Lib Dumbs, combined forces to try to get one of the more respected politicians around. It’s the sort of thing that has turned out well for us all before, like the repeal of the offensive behaviour at football legislation which was clearly misjudged. I mean, honestly, how often do football supporters ever cause trouble? In the 18th paragraph after the Tory case is repeated we get: Mr Swinney contended that the government had published the advice to counter “outlandish allegations” of conspiracy, and had … Continue reading BBC Scotland get help- with headline writing to tell truth

In The Scotsman today, Murdo Fraser writes: It was even announced that as many as 10 000- new members had joined the SNP following her appearance – a claim which is as unsubstantiated as it is incredible. Many parties provide party membership figures for the year ending 31 December in annual accounts submitted to the Electoral Commission, allowing this for December 2018: The Labour Party had 518,659 members, a fall from 564,443 in December 2017. The Scottish National Party had 125,534, a rise from the 118,162 reported in April 2018. The Liberal Democrat Party had around 95,000 members, a fall from the 97,403 members in December … Continue reading Huffy Boots?

From, a member of the TuSitters It’s fake news! Transport Scotland has commissioned a comprehensive South West Scotland Transport Study (which the Scottish Tories supported), which looks in detail at what transport D&G needs, and what  REALISTIC  options are for improvement (spoiler, no tunnels or bridges).  My understanding is that shortlisted options will be prioritised in Transport Scotland’s next capital investments plans through the National Transport Strategy. https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/south-west-scotland-transport-study-initial-appraisal-case-for-change Continue reading Tory FAKE News

SNP MP accused of sexual harassment makes news. BBC Scotland have him. The Herald has him twice: Tory MP actually sentenced following two assaults? BBC UK have him….no wait…..they’ve got the SNP MP again: Maybe the Tory MP story is fake news? The BBC has responsibilities you know? There’s no sign of a BBC report but the Guardian have him: Wait, sorry, BBC Kent had him: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-56262815 My confidence in the BBC fairness is restored, or is it? Continue reading BBC double standards on sex offences

An interesting way of phrasing that, with a double negative to suggest the opposite of what the Greens have said they will do? I know, we trust our readers to get to the end of the sentence. You’re being paranoid, again. To write something clumsy and potentially misleading do you need a reason? Here’s the source: How difficult would it have been to just cut and paste one of the actual phrases used to get: Continue reading Scottish Greens WILL NOT NOT SUPPORT John Swinney?

In a poll by JL Partners yesterday, after Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, 52% of Scots agree that the monarchy should be abolished with only 28% disagreeing. For the UK as a whole only 29% agreed with abolition and 50% disagreed. Northern Ireland and London had 33% for abolition but still a majority for retention and all other parts of the UK were strongly opposed to abolition. https://www.jlpartners.co.uk/polling-results Continue reading Only Scots would abolish Monarchy

Well down the page: ‘Jim Thewliss, from teachers’ group School Leaders Scotland says schools did not know the change was coming until it was announced at Holyrood last week and that it had been an enormous logistical task.’ School Leaders Scotland is a pressure group representing head teachers. Mr Thewliss seems remarkably insensitive to the challenges of dealing with a pandemic. The Scottish Government could not make this decision until they saw the data on infection level drops. Schools have two full weeks to plan a small scale return for only some of their pupils as part of phased induction, … Continue reading What are we paying this guy for?