Tag: scotland

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The evidence says that Anas Sarwar is even less popular than Sir Keir Starmer and that someone like Monica Lennon would lead Labour better

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 Today in the Herald, ‘Scottish’ Labour’s collapse in the latest Find out Now Holyrood poll to 19% in the constituency vote and only 15% in the regional vote, is attributed by Sir Professor John Curtice, to the … Continue reading The evidence says that Anas Sarwar is even less popular than Sir Keir Starmer and that someone like Monica Lennon would lead Labour better

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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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

johnrobertson834

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

johnrobertson834

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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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

johnrobertson834

‘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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Scotland has to decide in 2026 whether they will vote for slogans from Labour

johnrobertson834

By Liz S Whether Labour are indeed holding off and so preparing to announce benefits for Scotland next year prior to the Scottish election then why wait until then as that surely will be too obvious and also too tactical ? Yes I do know that is who Labour are politically. Though will most of the political damage and the fallout for Labour in Scotland not already have happened by next year ? Many of Reeves announcements, for England, were for the future so why not also include something for every nation within the UK. It also stinks to make … Continue reading Scotland has to decide in 2026 whether they will vote for slogans from Labour