Tag: snp

5 Comments

Fifth Health Secretary in a row averts deadly health strikes

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA Today in the National: JUNIOR doctors in Scotland have accepted an 11% pay rise, totalling £64.1 million, the Scottish Government has said. Resident doctors – the new preferred moniker for junior medics – and dentists in training will see an 8.5% increase backdated to April of this year and a further 2.3% rise effective from October 1, a cumulative rise of 11%.  Health Secretary Neil Gray (above) said: “I am very pleased that resident doctors and dentists in training have voted to accept the Scottish Government’s pay offer. This demonstrates how much we value them and ensures that … Continue reading Fifth Health Secretary in a row averts deadly health strikes

8 Comments

Anas Sarwar gets ‘Herald Scottish Politician of the Year’ despite his favourability rating falling 20 points to well below John Swinney and after taking Labour down 14 points to below the SNP

johnrobertson834

From the Herald today: Anas Sarwar has been named The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year in recognition of his work securing Scottish Labour’s stunning result at the General Election. The party returned 37 MPs, a huge jump on the one won in 2019. How are things going with that? In the short time since the General Election in July 2024, support for Scottish Labour has plummeted from as high as 37% just before it, to 23% in October. This suggests that Anas Sarwar has diddly chance of becoming the next First Minister. According to YouGov, he is currently popular with only … Continue reading Anas Sarwar gets ‘Herald Scottish Politician of the Year’ despite his favourability rating falling 20 points to well below John Swinney and after taking Labour down 14 points to below the SNP

2 Comments

School suspensions – When bad things are happening in England they’re NOT always ‘happening across the UK’ too

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA Today, I just happened to catch Chanel 5‘s Scottish presenter Storm Huntley talking about Primary School suspensions in England and adding, based on her lack of knowledge of what happens in Scotland, the above. From April 2024: From the Scotsman, no friend of the SNP Government, on 25 March 2024: Across Scotland, there were 11,675 cases of temporary exclusion of any length of time, with just one pupil being expelled, as previously revealed by The Scotsman. The figures compare to 39,553 temporary exclusions and 164 permanent in 2007, when the SNP came to power.1 So, with 10 times the population, … Continue reading School suspensions – When bad things are happening in England they’re NOT always ‘happening across the UK’ too

Leave a comment

Based on what they did in Wales, a Labour Government in Scotland would add half a million to Scotland’s NHS waiting lists! Pay attention. Do not vote for these numpties without checking this out

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA, Primary 7 Maths teacher till 1981. Scottish Labour have always had trouble with numbers and Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar is no exception as he walks into an embarrassing gaff in the Daily Record today, with this: Almost 1 in 6 Scots are on an NHS waiting list. The combined waiting lists total 824,725 people.1 The Scottish Con’s, Sandy Gullane, similarly no that bright, says: Around one in seven Scots is on a waiting list for NHS treatment.2 Make up your mind lads. That’s a big difference, hundreds of thousands. Never mind the sums then, what’s the … Continue reading Based on what they did in Wales, a Labour Government in Scotland would add half a million to Scotland’s NHS waiting lists! Pay attention. Do not vote for these numpties without checking this out

6 Comments

With the Scottish Conservatives finished, BBC Scotland attempts to push the already fading Scottish Labour party horse over the line in 2026

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA To discuss the problem of derelict buildings being left up too long, BBC Scotland choose, Colin Smyth, a Labour regional (list) MSP (not actually elected by locals) in a region (Scotland South) where there are no Labour constituency MSPs (6 SNP and 3 Cons). The above factory location is not named but there is a local MSP actually elected by the locals. Why were they not asked? Colin grew up in Dumfries. Why did BBC Scotland not approach Oliver Mundell the actual MSP for the area? As with many other recent examples, including Anas Sarwar arriving by … Continue reading With the Scottish Conservatives finished, BBC Scotland attempts to push the already fading Scottish Labour party horse over the line in 2026

16 Comments

Reverse Trojan Horse – Why the SNP and Labour should do a coalition deal in 2026 for independence by 2030

johnrobertson834

When I first saw the above, my first reaction was: ‘DAFT, DAFT and…….DAFT.’ Then something flashed from the nether regions into the front of my brain, while walking the dog. First, some facts you’ll need: From a FindOutNow poll for the Alba Party on 16-23 October, 25% of Labour voters would vote YES in a second independence referendum. From a YouGov poll on 29 August to 3 September a majority of Labour voters 47%/40% would vote YES if independence meant re-joining the EU. Leaving aside their leadership, most Labour voters share similar positions with the SNP, on taxation, benefits, health, … Continue reading Reverse Trojan Horse – Why the SNP and Labour should do a coalition deal in 2026 for independence by 2030

4 Comments

Yet another reason why British Labour Party leaders hope Scotland’s voters will NEVER ask the question: ‘How has Wales fared with Labour governing in Cardiff with devolved powers?’

johnrobertson834

Since 2007/08, poverty rates among children in England, Scotland and Wales have been consistently lowest in Scotland and often highest in Labour-run Wales according to the Social Metrics Commission. By stewartb This blog post is a follow on from the recent TuS blog post – ‘Eradicating child poverty costs nothing in the long term because everything depends on it’ – prompted by the Guardian’s coverage of the Social Metrics Commission’s latest report. Source: Social Metrics Commission (2024) Measuring Poverty 2024( https://socialmetricscommission.org.uk/ ) Comparing rates of povertyThe table below summarises data on the percentage of the population in England, Scotland andWales … Continue reading Yet another reason why British Labour Party leaders hope Scotland’s voters will NEVER ask the question: ‘How has Wales fared with Labour governing in Cardiff with devolved powers?’

1 Comment

Latest poll – Labour collapse and Reform almost catch Tories

johnrobertson834

I’m just seeing the full data tables from the Norstat/Sunday Times poll on 1 November 2024 which had YES/No tied, so improved from a 3% NO lead on August 22, 2024. 22 August 2024 poll by same sample in brackets below, before death of Alba leader Alex Salmond (12 October) and first Labour budget (30 October). Westminster (likely voters excluding undecided): Holyrood Constituency Holyrood Regional In the space of around 5 weeks after the last Norstat poll using the same sampling technique, we can see the clear effect of Labour’s early actions in a major collapse in their support in … Continue reading Latest poll – Labour collapse and Reform almost catch Tories

4 Comments

More good ideas for winning the voters round to the pro-independence parties including honesty about the England team

johnrobertson834

I’m indebted to one of the many Ann Onymouses who comment on TuS, for sharing this with me. Earlier today, I wrote: The SNP can win again if they learn from the US Democrat’s defeat – don’t respond to opposition ‘facts’, frame the argument as strength and do not move to the right as that only convinces voters that the right has better ideas https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/11/18/the-snp-can-win-again-if-they-learn-from-the-us-democrats-defeat-dont-respond-to-opposition-facts-frame-the-argument-as-strength-and-do-not-move-to-the-right-as-that-only-convinces-voters-t/ In essence, this argues that the leadership should ignore the flak, like Trump, dismiss it all as biased, present as strong and caring, frame the argument around the values that the majority will vote for … Continue reading More good ideas for winning the voters round to the pro-independence parties including honesty about the England team

4 Comments

Will the Scottish Conservatives call for a full ban on double jobbing for their own distracted colleagues?

johnrobertson834

In a sad, desperate and fearful attempt to keep Stephen Flynn out of Holyrood, the Scottish Conservatives are calling for a vote to ban “double jobbing” in the wake of Stephen Flynn’s bid to stand as both an MSP and MP. I agree that if elected to Holyrood in May 2026, he should stand down from his Westminster seat. However, I smell something corrupt when the Scottish Cons attempt to climb windily on to a high horse. Being an MP and MSP even in the same geographical area is a push but a wee look at some of jobs the … Continue reading Will the Scottish Conservatives call for a full ban on double jobbing for their own distracted colleagues?