This year’s virtual Lib Dem conference had a big increase in ‘attendance‘ up from virtually a handful last year. Using this year’s new counting algorithm from Cambuslang Analytics, a figure of 28 was achieved by counting any device just left on and estimating 3 family members for each, who may have caught a few seconds of Rennie, in passing. A survey by YouGub for The Tusker found that the most common question asked by those family members was ‘Who?‘ The researchers also found that when participants were asked which party leader said ‘Put education at heart of Covid recovery‘, 99% … Continue reading Larger than usual Lib Dem conference backs SNP policy on Schools

From the Construction Index yesterday: The findings of the new Workload Trends Survey conducted by CECA Scotland were in sharp contrast to the rest of Great Britain, where activity has continued to fall in the post lockdown period. Workloads rose in Q3, according to 39% of Scottish firms, on balance, following a decline (-35%) in Q2. More at: https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/civils-workloads-rebound-in-scotland No explanation is offered. Perhaps a reader in this area knows? Continue reading Civil engineering projects up only in Scotland

The Herald announces: A further 24 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the last 24 hours in Scotland. Daily figures released from the Scottish government revealed the deaths from the virus, pushing the death toll to 2,843 ​​​​​. In the last day, 1101 people tested positive for the virus. Of the new cases, 374 were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 317 in Lanarkshire, 121 in Lothian and 84 in Ayrshire and Arran. As of midnight last night, 1149 were in hospital, with 80 in intensive care. The Herald never tires of telling us: There’s little quality in the above. What’s happening? Are things … Continue reading Yes but what does it mean?

As England, let down again by political hesitancy, moves toward a fulllockdown, the Scottish Government seems to have the steered the ship into calmer waters. The infection rate has been falling consistently since the 26th October. Any fall in the death rate tends to lag several weeks behind falls in the infection rate. Hospital admissions tend to lag up to a week behind positive tests and have been climbing fast since the end of September, then slowing from mid October, before plateauing. The trend suggests a fall in a few days or weeks. ICU cases had also been climbing fast … Continue reading Steady as we go

Should I have better things to do? Probably. Any, what’s the evidence for Rennie’s optimism? Is it this? Clear in 4th place and losing support over the last year’s polls, from 9-12%, in September 2019 to 6-8% today. Is it their supporters approving of Nicola Sturgeon so much? From Opinium, based on responses from 5th May: To what extent do you approve or disapprove of …The way Nicola Sturgeon is handling her job as Leader of the SNP: Con 22% (20%) Lab 52% (46%) Lib Dem 55% (56%) SNP 86% (83%) https://www.opinium.co.uk/public-opinion-on-coronavirus-5th-may/ What is it then? Continue reading Oh Leave Him Alone!

Tom Gordon knows a lot of wee details about the Salmond vs Sturgeon ‘War’ but he doesn’t know how unimportant it is for the Independence movement. In a long piece, free-to-read, he covers everything you could think of. Fascinating? To others in the Holyrood Bubble, I suppose. Unable to find an anorak, I couldn’t bear to read it all and jumped to the end where I found: Two of Scotland’s political giants appear intent on slugging it out until they reach a demented, bloody draw. Only the Unionists will be smiling. They do need something to smile about but with … Continue reading Classic in-the-Bubble commentator’s wishful thinking

History made again as Yes vote soars to 56% – the highest ever in an online poll Today brings word of something of an oddity – the first ever poll on independence conducted by a firm called JL Partners, which doesn’t seem to be affiliated to the British Polling Council (or not yet, at any rate).  However, the pedigree of the people running it appears to be beyond question.  How and why the poll was commissioned is unclear, because the fieldwork took place well over a month ago, meaning it is less recent than the Savanta ComRes poll that put … Continue reading All the Unionist Attacks come to nothing as YEs scores 12 in a Row!

Continuing Scottish Labour’s habit of supporting anyone at all if they think they can score points against the Scottish Government, Monica Lennon said two days ago: The outbreak at Hatton Lea is extremely worrying and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have tragically died. It’s vital that the care home is given support to maintain safe staffing levels and that residents get the healthcare they need. Strong local partnership working is more important than ever. The well-being and safety of residents and staff is paramount, and I welcome HC-One’s proactive communication with local politicians. So, a … Continue reading Scottish Labour praise giant care corporation and press SNP Government to help it out!

‘Care Giant’, HC-One has announced an unspecified number of deaths at Hatton Lea Care Home in Lanarkshire. The BBC report, above, does get round to some important context but only after allowing HC-One to present their case for how good they are: The Press Association news agency said it understood the outbreak began on 15 October and by five days later 18 of the 29 residents in the unit had tested positive. Several residents were subsequently admitted to hospital. It comes after 15 people at HC-One’s Redmill Care Home in East Whitburn, West Lothian, died in an outbreak earlier this month. … Continue reading Bigger is deadlier

As lockdowns were eased and schools and universities re-opened, cases began to rise across the UK. The UK Government has tried three interventions since then, all constrained by pressure from powerful business interests, many sponsors, all cursed by poor communication skills, all unsuccessful. Labour-run Wales may have acted too late it seems. Northern Ireland, too has acted late. It seems to be working now but a terrible price may be paid in lives as death catches up with infections. The above Independent SAGE graph suggests Scotland’s strategy is working though, typically Anglocentric, they have missed the partial lockdowns imposed in … Continue reading Sad Commentary on Tory Incompetence