Tag: scottish-independence

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BBC Scotland’s avoidance of English County Lines gang terror complaint – their odd response and my follow-up complaint

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On July 23rd, I wrote to BBC Complaints: County Lines gangs, based in large English cities have been responsible for a spreading plague of extreme violence, more accessible and cheaper illegal drug supplies, child abuse, prostitution, people trafficking and the exploitation (cuckooing) of vulnerable adults in small-town UK, into places previously less affected by crime. Recent data reveal a surge in knife crime in rural and small-town areas in England and a recent surge in violent crime in similar areas in Scotland. Police Scotland estimates more than 50 County Lines gang activities in Scotland using children to carry the drugs … Continue reading BBC Scotland’s avoidance of English County Lines gang terror complaint – their odd response and my follow-up complaint

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Drink drive deaths in England soar to nearly three times those in Scotland halved after Scottish Government lowers limit

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By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian, typically Anglocentric, today: Deaths due to drinking and driving on UK roads have increased to 300 annually, a 13-year high, according to newly published government data. There were an estimated 300 deaths where at least one driver was over the legal blood-alcohol limit in 2022, the latest year for which official figures are available, the Department for Transport said. This is the highest annual figure since 2009, a toll motoring organisations described as “abhorrent” and concerning. The number is 16% higher than in 2021 and means drink-drive fatalities accounted for about 18% of all road deaths, … Continue reading Drink drive deaths in England soar to nearly three times those in Scotland halved after Scottish Government lowers limit

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Repeat interruption and misuse of statistics – Fiona Bruce’s masterclass in media bias

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Professor John Robertson On June 13, 2024, BBC Question Times’s chair, Fiona Bruce, interrupted the SNP MSP Kate Forbes to such an extent, hundreds put in formal complaints to the BBC but, regardless, a week later to she did the same to the SNP leader, John Swinney. The extent of that bias had been helpfully measured by @OfOxter a month earlier when Bruce had interrupted SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, 21 times compared to only 5 times for Labour leader, Anas Sarwar and 3 times and only once for the other party leaders. The most extreme example, in recent times, … Continue reading Repeat interruption and misuse of statistics – Fiona Bruce’s masterclass in media bias

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Anger as Herald lies about inward investment double UK average in ‘SNP’ Scotland

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In the Herald today, Brian Donnelly writes the above and: A senior housing industry figure has claimed Scotland has become a “no-go zone” for investors. He warns the SNP over housing laws that include rent controls will keep housebuilding in years of stagnation and Labour over its potential capping plans. Some facts: According to EY’s annual independent analysis of inward investment, 142 FDI projects were secured last year, an increase of 12.7% on 2022 and double the rate of growth experienced across the UK. Scotland’s share of UK FDI projects increased for a fifth year in a row to 14.4%. Investor perception of Scotland also … Continue reading Anger as Herald lies about inward investment double UK average in ‘SNP’ Scotland

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Housing incoherence – Scottish Labour branch try to use their UK Labour privatised strategy to suggest the Scottish Government do more with state funds

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In a speech today, UK Labour Chancellor makes it very clear that their housing strategy is based entirely on private investment and, of course, subsequent private sector costs for decades to come. Yet, in the Daily Record today; Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “Scotland is in the grips of a housing emergency, but the SNP’s response has been woeful. “At a time when we need urgent action to boost housebuilding, the SNP has slashed the affordable housing budget and is gearing up to ditch its flagship affordable housing target. “Rachel Reeves is leading the way with Labour’s transformative plans to … Continue reading Housing incoherence – Scottish Labour branch try to use their UK Labour privatised strategy to suggest the Scottish Government do more with state funds

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Why is BBC Scotland news editor James Cook ignoring Police Scotland alerts to another English-based drug gang operating here?

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From Police Scotland, last night, the above image and: Two men have been sentenced for their part in a County Lines drugs operation between the North East of Scotland and the West Midlands. Fleury Tsaty, aged 29, was jailed for three years and three months, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday, 28 June, 2024. Wasem Sharif, aged 19, was issued an 18 month community payback order. They were arrested in September 2022 following the execution of warrants at a number of addresses in the Seaton area of Aberdeen and in Birmingham. Heroin, crack cocaine and herbal cannabis with an estimated … Continue reading Why is BBC Scotland news editor James Cook ignoring Police Scotland alerts to another English-based drug gang operating here?

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Why is this British state, tax-payer-funded public service broadcaster only telling you how to get free voter-ID when it’s too late?

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registration certificate, as long as you are registered to vote. You can see those details on the BBC website on the Electoral Commission website. Presenter says ‘Good advice!’ At the website: Conspiracy or c***up? Those less likely to have bank cards, driving licences etc, the poor, are also more likely to vote for leftist parties. The SNP is clearly the only larger left-of-centre party known to be working to reduce poverty. Evidence from Alan Dorans, SNP candidate for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, in the National, January 2024: This matters for all of us but matters more for the SNP than … Continue reading Why is this British state, tax-payer-funded public service broadcaster only telling you how to get free voter-ID when it’s too late?

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London-based County Lines drug gang exploits child in Aberdeenshire but BBC Scotland look away again as election looms

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By Professor John Robertson Yesterday, STV had this headline and sub: Man, 21, charged in connection with drugs offences and child exploitation – The 21-year-old man is due to appear at Peterhead Sheriff Court on Monday, June 24. They do mention London and County Lines in the text but keep this matter, which clearly harms the Better Together story, from too much attention. I doubt the story has made a TV broadcast. Correct me if you can. BBC Scotland? It is now more than 3 years since BBC Scotland mentioned County Lines gangs, for the only time, in a post. … Continue reading London-based County Lines drug gang exploits child in Aberdeenshire but BBC Scotland look away again as election looms

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Homeownership rates among younger people in Scotland far higher than for UK

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 Institute for Fiscal Studies (June 2024) By stewartb On 20 June 2024 the Scottish Government announced the following: ‘Help for first-time buyers across the country on low to medium incomes’. This is described on the Scottish Government website: ’A scheme to help first time buyers and certain priority groups step on to the property ladder has reopened for applications. The Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme is available across Scotland to first-time buyers on low or medium incomes who cannot afford the full price of a home. (my emphasis) ‘Successful applicants will be able to buy a home without having … Continue reading Homeownership rates among younger people in Scotland far higher than for UK

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Independence – When will we reach our tipping point? 

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By Brenda Robb Following the launch of the SNPs manifesto many folk have taken to Twitter and newspaper comments to bemoan the SNPs ability to make progress on securing independence. Every armchair expert claims to know what they should have done with solutions ranging from challenging obscure constitutional treaties, declaring UDI or just somehow sorting it. In some ways the Westminster refrain of “Now is not the time” was highly successful as it has allowed time, frustration and division to take their toll on the independence movement.  This is not new. A quick internet trawl gave the following timelines for … Continue reading Independence – When will we reach our tipping point?