Hertsscot

Galloway back in Parliament, won Rochdale by-election.

Just finished watching The Jury on Channel 4, very interesting, worth a watch.

It is complex. Taxing 'unhealthy' foods is one measure but there's other things that can be done,control of advertising etc. I would like to see more emphasis on food in school. We had a Home Ec. teacher leave last year and it was a nightmare trying to replace her, pupils spent months without cooking. The impression that I got from others was that this wasn't a surprise and that there weren't enough Home Ec teachers being trained. Another thing is school meals. I left a school that, I suspect, was highly unusual but shows what can be done. The meals were so good that pupils stayed in and sat down and really enjoyed them. I'll try and post a photo at some point. Where I am now, none of the choices are inspiring, lots of kids leave school at lunchtime, local businesses do well but I'm not sure it's getting young people into healthy eating habits. Add in the expectation fuelled by Deliveroo adverts that takeaways are a regular occurrence and we've got a problem.

Without commenting on the specifics, surely governments have a duty to promote good health in the population, smoking bans, minimum pricing, wearing seatbelts etc. An unhealthy population hits the economy due to days lost because of illness and also puts more strain in the NHS.

I agree with your assessment but I fear there are people who do take him seriously and believe all the rubbish about how he'll stand up for Scotland's interests (ironically enough, against London based Labour!!!!!)

I'm not going to disagree with that assessment. I can imagine how any policy rift between Flynn and Yousaf would dominate Scottish media, papers, TV, radio for days on end, calling for an explanation. Major differences between Starmer and Sarwar, not a peep.

Big year ahead with the Olympics. Looking forward to the World Champs in Glasgow this coming weekend.

Has any Scottish journalist actually asked Sarwar or Starmer why they disagree with one another around 'collective punishment'? Or are those journalists under orders not to expose the lie that SLab are somehow independent of their English masters?

If Hoyle had genuine concerns about MPs safety as grounds for ignoring the SNP motion he should surely have consulted party leaders beforehand and explained his reasoning. As it is his MPs safety line is growing legs. Yes, there are legitimate worries but I worry about how right wing Governments can use security concerns to undermine democracy and basic civil rights.

I can think of some advice I'd give George but I'm not sure he'd like it.

Exactly. If it were true, then you'd also be asking why that was the case, what policies or investment have favoured London, why has rest of UK been neglected.

Interesting, not that it did England any good https://www.planetrugby.com/news/gregor-townsend-angry-at-english-rugby-bosses-over-ruling-which-questions-six-nations-integrity

This seems particularly bizarre as Hoyle himself suggested this would be a possibility. Again it raises questions about his competence and his integrity. SNP who will be rightly angered by this slight will undoubtedly be slated as grief manufacturers by the usual suspects.

I think she could be an inspiration forsome of the kids I teach...'Don't worry that you're a nutter, don't worry you're thick, you can still succeed - just like Liz Truss!'

It's a minor point but did she not also realise that she was minister of Northern Ireland as well?

Bit unlucky. Lineker defending him on MotD. Maguire made similar challenge if not worse against Fulham but only got a yellow.

I do hope this is a springboard to more participation and more success. We're still over reliant on residency and grandparents. On another note, I was amused to see Cammy Redpath coming back on with what looked like a toilet roll stuffed up his nose. I can't imagine that's easy to play with.

We need to ask the question. Hickey injured, Paterson not playing, Ashby and Ramsay not pushing on. Who else have we got? Ralston, Max Johnston? Tino Livramento?

Lee Anderson suspended by the Tories. I wonder if he'll jump ship and join Reform.

Trevor Steven would have been useful and Lucy Bronze as well.

Junior doctors in England on strike again. I dare say all those Tory MSPs will be out on X thanking the Scottish Government for how they resolved the dispute here...Or maybe not.

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells has been formally stripped of her CBE for "bringing the honours system into disrepute", according to the Cabinet Office. Shouldn't be the only one!!!!!!

Or they regroup under Mordaunt who also appeals to the right and hates Scotland but is more presentable than Braverman, Truss, Badenoch, Patel.

I'm sure a swap deal could be arranged. I'm sure some bits would be happy to abandon Westminster.

I'm sure that's true for some but on the other hand the Israelis have gone out of their way to get Tory and Labour politicians on side so it would suggest some influence.