Tag: news

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Many English local authorities to increase council tax by more than twice that in Scotland on top of already higher rates

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The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today: Ministers could allow council tax to rise by up to 25% to prevent bankruptcies – Experts say it is inevitable government will let English local authorities exceed 5% cap if they are likely … Continue reading Many English local authorities to increase council tax by more than twice that in Scotland on top of already higher rates

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‘Tawdry’ Labour spin doctor pretends to know something about education to undermine Nicola Sturgeon, SNP and Scottish schools

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The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA former school teacher, education lecturer, Associate Dean (Quality Assurance) Faculty of Education, Research Ethics Chair and Research Methods Tutor to BA Journalism (!) UWS Peter MacMahon is in the Herald with: Has anything changed since Sturgeon’s education pledge? Not long after she became First … Continue reading ‘Tawdry’ Labour spin doctor pretends to know something about education to undermine Nicola Sturgeon, SNP and Scottish schools

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Rail travel cheaper in Scotland despite recent increases

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The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA The Herald today has: ScotRail fares will increase by 3.8% from April, with the Scottish Government admitting the move is ‘unwelcome’. No context is offered and I must admit to being unable to identify a recent, reliable, … Continue reading Rail travel cheaper in Scotland despite recent increases

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Why are only Scottish prisoners released early a reason to be afraid? Blame the Two Liams!

johnrobertson834

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA From BBC Scotland two days ago: Up to 390 prisoners will be released early starting from next month in the latest move from the Scottish government to reduce the prison population. Emergency legislation was passed last year … Continue reading Why are only Scottish prisoners released early a reason to be afraid? Blame the Two Liams!

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Cautious but still positive signs that Scotland CAN reduce car use by 2030 contrary to opinions of media fuelled by the Auditor General’s latest politicisation of events to undermine SNP Government

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The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA The media in Scotland are largely of one mind: Scottish government ‘unlikely’ to meet 2030 target on reducing car use What is their source for this? From the Auditor General for Scotland, two days ago A lack … Continue reading Cautious but still positive signs that Scotland CAN reduce car use by 2030 contrary to opinions of media fuelled by the Auditor General’s latest politicisation of events to undermine SNP Government

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Now THREE different sources of evidence confirm unambiguously that Scotland really has significantly lower crime levels after 17 years

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By Professor John Robertson OBA Ipsos Scotland today posted the poll results above showing that like other parts of the UK, Scotland’s voters seem far more concerned about the economy, health and immigration than any other issues. The SNP will do well to keep this in mind. I should quickly point out that Ipsos Mori, unlike most other pollsters, some owned by Tory grandees or headed up by Labour lords, can be trusted. Based in Paris, when it comes to Scottish independence, they ‘do not have a horse in the race.’ Not being discussed much is the 11% concerned about crime across … Continue reading Now THREE different sources of evidence confirm unambiguously that Scotland really has significantly lower crime levels after 17 years

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Labour UK copy SNP winning strategy on land use but only 14 years after

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Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this: From the Guardian today, in 2025: The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will announce a consultation into how the limited land in England should be used and where is best to farm, restore nature or build infrastructure. The finished blueprint will use the latest data to map where the areas with the best quality farmland and most potential for nature recovery are and be plugged into the planning matrix used by environment secretary, Ed Miliband, and housing secretary, Angela Rayner. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/31/land-use-plan-england-map-farming-nature-housing-solar-wind No target date for the finished blueprint is as yet noted. From the Scottish Government, largely … Continue reading Labour UK copy SNP winning strategy on land use but only 14 years after

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Affluent Toronto’s ferries, 61 to 114 years old, crash into docks, injure passengers and cause massive delays

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From blogTO in Toronto, Canada, three days ago, we see that all of its ferries are out of service because the ice-breaker boat is in dock for maintenance. You’d think they’d get the maintenance done in summer? Also: While the City’s ferry fleet carries more than 1.4 million passengers annually, its current ferries are between 61 and 114 years old. [CalMac’s oldest ferry is 48] Back in September, the almost 90-year-old William Inglis ferry experienced a mechanical issue and subsequently drifted into the wooden slip at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Although paramedics and Toronto Police’s marine unit were called to the … Continue reading Affluent Toronto’s ferries, 61 to 114 years old, crash into docks, injure passengers and cause massive delays

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As households in England & Wales see hikes in water charges of 19% to 47%, let’s paraphrase documented responses to sub-10% increases in Scotland from Dame Jackie Baillie MSP

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‘It is a gross insult that the English and Welsh are being forced to pay for eye-watering bill hikes while a water industry chief executive can rakes in over £3 million a year’ ‘The Labour government has responsibilities for the water industry in England and Wales, and approved this inflation-busting rise during a cost-of-living crisis. Labour must reverse this outrageous decision.’ ‘It beggars belief that the Labour governments in Westminster and Cardiff are letting water companies in England and Wales hike bills at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet’ ‘‘If the Labour Party really … Continue reading As households in England & Wales see hikes in water charges of 19% to 47%, let’s paraphrase documented responses to sub-10% increases in Scotland from Dame Jackie Baillie MSP

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British Labour Party leaders find ways to excuse their track record in government by reference to external factors when they don’t have the SNP to blame

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By stewartb The British Labour Party’s leader in the Holyrood parliament, Anas Sarwar MSP is quoted in a Holyrood magazine article from February 14, 2024 entitled: ‘Labour unveils new ‘blueprint for economic growth’. It was a fairly typical ‘blame the Scottish Government’ piece useful for illustration. ‘Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused the SNP-Green government of “failing” businesses and “choking off opportunity and hurting families and companies in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and a cost-of-doing-business crisis”. (my emphasis) And: ‘The Labour Party argues that the SNP has failed to grow the economy over its 17 years in government ..’ It’s worth recalling … Continue reading British Labour Party leaders find ways to excuse their track record in government by reference to external factors when they don’t have the SNP to blame