Tag: uk-politics

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Nearly 20 years since ending Thatcher’s right-to-buy, Scotland has built nearly three times as many really affordable houses as Andy Burnham might promise for 2030

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Thanks to Derek Scott for alerting us to this. Lewis is, of course, correct in outlining an emerging housing crisis across the UK but way out on the last near 20 years. In February 2026, aspiring Labour PM, Andy Burnham had this ambition for the UK: Significantly, it is social rent, rather than affordable homes, that Burnham appears keen on building. In February of this year, speaking at the Resolution Foundation conference, he said he would like to see the government commit to building 500,000 such homes by the end of the decade (2030). https://www.bdonline.co.uk/briefing/what-would-prime-minister-burnham-look-like-for-housing-and-construction/5142820.article Blissfully unaware, the Daily Mail in April … Continue reading Nearly 20 years since ending Thatcher’s right-to-buy, Scotland has built nearly three times as many really affordable houses as Andy Burnham might promise for 2030

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Does Michael Marra still think Andy Burnham should ‘shut up?’

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By Liz S Daily Record 28 September 2025. “A senior Labour MSP has told wannabe party leader Andy Burnham to “shut up” amid speculation he plans to launch a bid to topple Keir Starmer” Guess who the ‘senior’ Labour MSP was? None other than one of the contenders for the Labour Branch office manager’s post i.e. Michael Marra. Embarrassing now is it not . That is , it would be embarrassing for any decent politician . However for a Labour politician , who now stands in the (supposed) ‘leadership’ contest for Labour in Scotland, it will be be no more than yet another self … Continue reading Does Michael Marra still think Andy Burnham should ‘shut up?’

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Listeners ‘short changed’ on quality and accuracy by BBC Radio Scotland

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By Liz S BBC ‘Scotland’ is at it again….but then, (big sigh), that is what we have all come to know and expect by this British propaganda outfit that works relentlessly for the sustainment of their UK State. MSM Monitor added a post via BBC Radio Scotland (sourced from an accusation by the Labour leader of the Council in Edinburgh against the Scottish government- the SNP). The BBC Radio Scotland post on ‘X’ stated this: “Edinburgh City Council leader Jane Marr says Glasgow is being prioritised over Edinburgh when it comes to fire recovery funding. Do you think the money is being shared fairly” ? “Has Edinburgh being short … Continue reading Listeners ‘short changed’ on quality and accuracy by BBC Radio Scotland

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Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’

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By Liz S Talking of healthcare I saw this online from Rupert Lowe in a post on ‘X’ dated 5 August: “Under a Restore Britain Government, private healthcare costs will become tax-deductible. Care will be come far more affordable for millions of Brits. Our plans will hugely ease pressure on the NHS, and save you thousands of pounds. Private healthcare is not our enemy”. “Care will be come far more affordable” ? More affordable than now , via the NHS , which is FREE AT THE POINT OF DELIVERY ? “For millions of Brits” ? How many million ? What level of service will those “millions” get via private healthcare, that … Continue reading Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’

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Only tiny 2% of terror referrals are in Scotland to rebut Labour scare story

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In the deeply untrusted Herald yesterday, the above, and: Scotland’s only ethnic-minority and Muslim MP has called on the Scottish Government to fund a cohesion strategy in the wake of last month’s violent far-right rally in Glasgow . Dr Zubir Ahmed said cuts to youth provision and to community policing meant the early warning signs of radicalisation were being missed. Does being ‘Scotland’s only ethnic-minority and Muslim MP’ mean you are well-placed to knowing what’s going in? Apparently not: Ahmed is trying to suggest terror referrals in Scotland are a serious problem just like in other parts of the UK and are being missed. … Continue reading Only tiny 2% of terror referrals are in Scotland to rebut Labour scare story

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Burnham delivers ‘for Scotland’ two men close to Peter Mandelson

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From Liz S The Sunday Mail (falsely) headlined this last Sunday: “Burnham: I’ll deliver for Scotland”. So what has he, so far, “delivered” ? Well he has given a peerage and also a role in his UK government to someone who, as the (alleged) leader of Labour in Scotland, (badly) lost the Scottish election for Labour in Scotland in May of this year. He has also kept on the same SOS against Scotland even after revelations in June 2026 that this same individual, Douglas Alexander, was said to have “broken the ministerial code by not declaring a meeting with Peter Mandelson’s lobbying agency“ that is when he, Alexander, … Continue reading Burnham delivers ‘for Scotland’ two men close to Peter Mandelson

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Anas protests reduced access to the First Minister but seems OK with no access to the new PM

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Above, one of the very few media outlets reporting the no media access for the new PM yesterday and below one of the many reporting the moderated access for the FM, on 29 January 2026: By Liz S Talking of Anas and his U turns, as in his seemingly conflicting opinions , opinions that are dependent on who they can most damage and who they can most protect. In June of this year the BBC reported this on their website: “Holyrood restricts media access to politicians after FMQs” “A row has broken out at Holyrood after it was announced journalists will have restricted access … Continue reading Anas protests reduced access to the First Minister but seems OK with no access to the new PM

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Just like Andy, Anas U-turns all the way to the top to fulfil his dad’s dreams

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By a friend of Talking-up Scotland Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar MP was almost the first Lord Sarwar, having been proposed by PM Gordon Brown for a life peerage in May 2010. Significant objections, notably including HMRC, led to Brown’s nomination being blocked (ref 1). Other controversies included allegations of vote-rigging (not substantiated in Court) and running up almost £200,000 in MP expenses in 2008-2009. He also had the third highest MP expenses in 2003-2004 (a mere £157,262). These figures included interest payments on his mortgage for his £600,000 South London apartment from a UK branch of the Swiss-based Habib Bank AG Zurich (ref 2). Then … Continue reading Just like Andy, Anas U-turns all the way to the top to fulfil his dad’s dreams

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Meet The New Boss

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By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 Standing on the steps of Downing Street after becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham presented himself as the leader of a fresh start and a different kind of politics. But how many times have we heard those same promises made on the same steps of Number 10, only to see them quietly abandoned almost as soon as the new Prime Minister walks through that shiny black door? I’m old enough to remember Margaret Thatcher declaring: “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth” — words borrowed from the … Continue reading Meet The New Boss

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Burnham’s 5.1 Million Dollar Question

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By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 If Westminster politicians have no problem telling the entire electorate of the UK that Scotland is “subsidised” by England, then there are a couple of very simple questions that they should answer. Official figures show that in England today, around 3.4 million children and 1.7 million pensioners live in relative poverty. That’s a combined total of approximately 5.1 million people. Scotland’s entire population is just under 5.5 million. If Scotland is really such a financial burden on the UK Treasury, why does it keep carrying that cost? Why is the welfare of Scotland so important … Continue reading Burnham’s 5.1 Million Dollar Question