Tag: travel

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After 14 years of the SNP lower drink-drive limit Scotland has by far the safest roads and drivers in the UK

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From the Guardian today: Tougher rules on drink-driving, eye tests for older motorists and automatic emergency braking in new cars will be mandated by the government in an attempt to significantly reduce casualties on Britain’s roads. The first road safety strategy in more than a decade aims to save thousands of lives with a range of measures, from training and technology to stiffer penalties for offenders. The proposals, to be announced on Wednesday, seek to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. The number of deaths has declined since the 1970s but that improvement slowed … Continue reading After 14 years of the SNP lower drink-drive limit Scotland has by far the safest roads and drivers in the UK

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These Tory ministers sold profitable harbours like Ardrossan to enable shareholders to milk rather than to maintain them, Labour then did nothing and now the SNP Government is blamed for not buying it back quick enough?

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Professor John Robertson OBA For more than a year now Scotland’s media have been blaming the Scottish Government for problems at Ardrossan harbour and it’s Arran ferry service. Little media coverage has targeted the owners, a Manchester billionaire. How did we get here? I asked AI, carefully. Today, known as Sir Malcolm Leslie Rifkind and The Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market, these men above, were successively secretaries of State for Scotland, at the time, driven by PM John Major’s ongoing Thatcherite sell-offs, who managed the privatisation the Clyde Port Authority which included Ardrossan. Was the authority state-owned? It was was … Continue reading These Tory ministers sold profitable harbours like Ardrossan to enable shareholders to milk rather than to maintain them, Labour then did nothing and now the SNP Government is blamed for not buying it back quick enough?

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Labour Wales councils in debt at FIVE times the level in Scotland for worse services

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By stewartb If Scotland was an independent nation-state I would think it perfectly reasonable – indeed necessary – to hold its parties and system of government to account in part through making public policy (input, process, output and outcome) comparisons with other broadly similar nation-states. However, so long as Scotland remains in Union, it is wholly appropriate – indeed necessary – to make such comparisons with other parts of the UK. It’s relevant to draw comparisons with those parts whose responsible national government has limited (devolved) powers. However, it is ESPECIALLY ‘interesting’ and relevant to compare Scotland (and NI and … Continue reading Labour Wales councils in debt at FIVE times the level in Scotland for worse services

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Which party has been responsible for the longest bin strike in history, almost no new affordable housing, fewer teachers and no free school meals – It’s Birmingham Labour but there’s a media silence on that

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Professor John Robertson OBA The bin strike in Birmingham is one-year long on January 6th 2026. A year?! It’s unheard of but it’s not the BBC headline today on the 3rd. Indeed, it hasn’t been reported on since the 18th December 2025. Which party run Birmingham? It’s Labour and has been for decades. The BBC reporting above does mention ‘Labour’ but Imagine this was in Scotland, say Glasgow, a whole year of ‘SNP bin strikes?’ There would not, of course, be a look back in history because, in Scotland, is mostly Labour history like this: The Glasgow binmen (refuse collectors) … Continue reading Which party has been responsible for the longest bin strike in history, almost no new affordable housing, fewer teachers and no free school meals – It’s Birmingham Labour but there’s a media silence on that

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BBC Scotland now hiding that all English Albanian drug gangs are based in English Cities

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Professor John Robertson OBA From Albanian Daily News nearly a year ago, but to this day never covered by BBC Scotland: Are these gangs based in Scotland? Nope: Albanian organized crime groups involved in cannabis cultivation and distribution, including those with operations in Fife, Scotland (such as a reported farm in St Andrews), are typically part of broader networks with key bases and leadership in England. Based on reports from police operations, investigations, and media coverage, these include: These England-based groups often recruit illegal immigrants via Channel crossings or lorries, forcing them into debt repayment through work on Scottish farms … Continue reading BBC Scotland now hiding that all English Albanian drug gangs are based in English Cities

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30% fare hikes in only two years, declining service performance, a ballooning budget, and a history of deploying unreliable vessels as Canadian government underfunds its ferry service by 10 times that in Scotland

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Professor John Robertson OBA In the Times Colonist, on December 15th 2025: To increase funding and ward off fare hikes “well in excess of 30%” in two years, B.C. Ferries proposes forming a “sustainable partnership” with all levels of government — federal, provincial, and local. Yet this partnership maintains the same governance model that enabled the Fast Ferries scandal in the 1990s and cost taxpayers $1 billion in avoidable expenses. The B.C. Auditor General called for strong governance reform to prevent future vessel failures and wasted tax dollars. Three provincial governments, however, have ignored his unambiguous warning by keeping the same … Continue reading 30% fare hikes in only two years, declining service performance, a ballooning budget, and a history of deploying unreliable vessels as Canadian government underfunds its ferry service by 10 times that in Scotland

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Manchester to Leeds more than TWICE Glasgow to Edinburgh at any time and overall cheapest rail fares in UK but BBC Scotland headline an advertising error

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Professor John Robertson OBA At lease some of the staff at Pacific Quay must be thinking, red-faced, this morning – ‘Is this all we’ve got for the top story?’ ScotRail has been ordered to withdraw claims that it offers the “cheapest tickets” on its website after a watchdog ruled this was misleading. In August, adverts on its journey planner claimed it was “unbeatable on price” and customers should “book direct for the best price”. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint finding that ScotRail had no evidence to back up those claims. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7lkdzg3gzo Only in the third last paragraph, … Continue reading Manchester to Leeds more than TWICE Glasgow to Edinburgh at any time and overall cheapest rail fares in UK but BBC Scotland headline an advertising error

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Isle of Wight Tory MP calls again for ferry pricing regulation introduced by SNP in 2008 to transform Scottish island economies and then be forgotten by the ungrateful among them

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Professor John Robertson OBA Four days ago, Joe Robertson, Tory MP for the Isle of Wight has called again for measures to end the ‘ferry rip-off punishing coastal Britain’ [sic].1 We’ve highlighted these disparities and the generosity of CalMac prices several times but just last month we had: In July 2025, a medium size car with four passengers, Portsmouth to Fishbourne with Wightlink Ferries, would cost you between £210 and £300, depending time of sailing. From Southampton to East Cowes with Red Funnel would be between £200 and £288. It’s a 12 mile, 45 minute journey.2, 3 The Oban to Mull crossing is similar at 15 miles and … Continue reading Isle of Wight Tory MP calls again for ferry pricing regulation introduced by SNP in 2008 to transform Scottish island economies and then be forgotten by the ungrateful among them

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CalMac, youngest ferries, best funding and most staff

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Professor John Robertson OBA The Scotsman today has – CalMac hit by ‘challenging’ year from increased severe weather and ageing fleet. The ‘ageing fleet‘ line is a well-worn suggestion that the SNP in government has not funded enough new ferry-building. It’s rubbish. The best comparisons are with Washington State Ferries and BC Ferries, on the North-West coast of North America. They each serve one big city as does CalMac – Seattle, Vancouver and Glasgow – and a large island archipelago of 30 to 50 destinations with 20 to 40 vessels. CalMac has the biggest fleet and largest set of destinations … Continue reading CalMac, youngest ferries, best funding and most staff

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There have now been 5 tower block fires in Scotland since 2000 and none have gone up like Grenfell – here’s why, for the 5th time

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Professor John Robertson OBA Notice anything about that tower block fire? No towering inferno, again From BBC Glasgow & West yesterday: A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire in a flat at a tower block in Coatbridge. Two people were treated by ambulance crews following the blaze at Calder Court in Whifflet which was reported at about 06:45. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said crews in 11 fire engines and one height vehicle were working to extinguish the fire. A spokesperson said: “Two casualties are in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and crews … Continue reading There have now been 5 tower block fires in Scotland since 2000 and none have gone up like Grenfell – here’s why, for the 5th time