Social care – the British Labour Party in government is no more the ‘solution’ to the problems facing the sector in England than the Tories

By stewartb Problems with social care? Just in Scotland? Is the British Labour Party in government in Westminster solving the resourcing issues underlying social care problems in England? It seems that the British Labour Party in government is no more the ‘solution’ to the problems facing the sector in England than the Tories! Indeed they seem to be contributing to their continuation. Given this, why would the British Labour Party in government in Holyrood be the ‘solution’ for Scotland? Nuffield Trust (March 26, 2025) Nuffield Trust response to the Spring Statement – press release. (https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nuffield-trust-response-to-the-spring-statement) ‘Adult social care has once again … Continue reading Social care – the British Labour Party in government is no more the ‘solution’ to the problems facing the sector in England than the Tories

Welfare cuts – The British Labour Party in Scotland is in a sorry state – ‘red Tories’ indeed!

By stewartb Recall that on March 27, 2025 the BBC News website had this headline: ‘Sarwar defends UK government welfare cuts’. ‘Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has defended the UK government’s controversial welfare reforms. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed £5bn of cuts in the Spring Statement in a bid to meet self-imposed debt rules. The cuts have been condemned by charities, Holyrood ministers and some Scottish Labour politicians. Now by way of contrast, on March 28, the BBC News website has this headline in its Wales section: ‘First minister refuses to back welfare cuts’. ‘Wales’ first minister has refused to back … Continue reading Welfare cuts – The British Labour Party in Scotland is in a sorry state – ‘red Tories’ indeed!

Why Reform UK is not the solution for Scotland

By Liz S There is no doubt that the obvious failure of 14 years of various Tory UK governments and now also the obvious failure of a new Labour (Tory) UK government since 2024 , who as the new Labour (Tory) UK government, are seemingly determined to go down the same cruel, disastrous and dangerous path as the previous Tory governments went , has now left voters feeling tremendously let down by politics and also by (pro) UK political parties. We, and others, know 100% that Reform UK are not the solution, as in the panacea, to the woes people have suffered … Continue reading Why Reform UK is not the solution for Scotland

Child poverty – Labour’s deep hypocrisy

By stewartb The BBC News website on March 27 2025 had this headline: UK child poverty numbers reach a record high’. It repeated: ’An extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into relative poverty by these changes, according to the government’s own impact assessment.’ Of course the party of government referred to is the British Labour Party, the same party that wishes us to vote it into government in Holyrood in 2026. The very same party that ‘Scotland’s Champion’, the Daily Record urged us to vote for in the 2024 UK General Election and will no doubt support in … Continue reading Child poverty – Labour’s deep hypocrisy

Labour to push 250,000 people into poverty but Gordon Brown campaigns against it apparently untroubled by the contradictions

stewartb While we’re on the subject of egregious omissions in the wake of Labour’s ‘Spring Statement’ … From Birmingham Live on March 12, 2025 this headline: ‘Former PM Gordon Brown in Birmingham backs child poverty urgent action call’. We’re told the sage of British Labour in Scotland and saviour of solidarity in the precious Union attended an event at which: ‘He took the opportunity to press fellow guest, Government employment minister Alison McGovern, to do more to fix child poverty. She is one of three ministers leading the Child Poverty Taskforce set up by Sir Keir Starmer and due to report its … Continue reading Labour to push 250,000 people into poverty but Gordon Brown campaigns against it apparently untroubled by the contradictions

A sustainable pharmacy network that increases patient access to essential NHS care – Now that is a news story that will never be touched

By Liz S Brexit has had many negative impacts in the UK. Unfortunately the two main UK parties were and still are more focused on trying to out Brexit each other to care about it’s damaging consequences, hence why Reeves, Kendall, Starmer are currently punishing the “many” to protect the “few”. “Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for England’s future“ Now that is a news story that will never be touched by the BBC Reporting Scotland news team as they are way too consumed in trying to convince us that Scotland should follow England, in everything, especially all of the … Continue reading A sustainable pharmacy network that increases patient access to essential NHS care – Now that is a news story that will never be touched

Disability benefit cuts – Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie will soon be on deflection manoeuvres

By Liz S BBC Website – Douglas Fraser wrote that “If there is a cut in the budget for PIPs, a proportionate figure will be cut from the Treasury block grant to Holyrood”. He then writes “So Scottish ministers would have the choice of applying a similar scale of cuts, or of finding funds from other spending, or from higher income tax, to fill that gap” So would that then mean they are ‘spoilt for choice’ to “fill that gap” Mr Fraser ? “A gap” that has been caused by the UK government . The BBC article on their website regarding … Continue reading Disability benefit cuts – Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie will soon be on deflection manoeuvres

UK Government’s dysfunctional Under-Secretary at the Scotland Office will clearly say anything, absolutely anything she’s told to say

stewartb Should anyone book a holiday for their family on a Scottish island this summer? Should a bank or other investor support a business based on a Scottish island that relies on serving customers off island? Should anyone thinking of moving from the UK mainland or elsewhere to set up a family home or set up a business on a Scottish island? Should any resident of a Scottish island with the option of continuing to make a life there or moving to a mainland location choose the former? Should a business on the UK mainland or elsewhere enter into a … Continue reading UK Government’s dysfunctional Under-Secretary at the Scotland Office will clearly say anything, absolutely anything she’s told to say

Major balanced poll – Information-starved public critical of Scottish Government’s record but are sure Labour would not do a better job

By Professor John Robertson OBA The first thing I check for in any full poll is the extent to which the initial sample has been adjusted to reflect the make-up of the electorate in the 2021 Holyrood Election (not required) and they 2014 Referendum (good, they have not). In the light of the latter non-adjustment which many feel has distorted previous poll results against the SNP, we can, for the first time, reasonably trust these results. Their own headline – Public critical of Scottish Government’s record but aren’t convinced that Labour would do a better job – is surprising given … Continue reading Major balanced poll – Information-starved public critical of Scottish Government’s record but are sure Labour would not do a better job

More than twice as many wait more than 12 hours in A&E in England than do in Scotland? Try telling Glenn Campbell that

By Liz S “More than twice as many, per head, wait more than 12 hours in A&E in England than do in Scotland” Try telling the BBC’s Political Editor in Scotland, Glenn Campbell, that ! MSM Monitor tweeted this: “Glenn Campbell’s ‘analysis’ of key political events this last few months have all been pro-Labour”. MSM Monitor also linked a Video to his tweet showing exactly what Campbell had said on specific topics so then emphatically prove his , MSM Monitor’s, point. Campbell on Reeves budget : “Just think back to the GE campaign, one of the SNP’s core attack line … Continue reading More than twice as many wait more than 12 hours in A&E in England than do in Scotland? Try telling Glenn Campbell that