Category Archives: Politics

Christie Eleison IV

Posted on July 2, 2011 by davidsberry

In earlier segments of this huge topic I highlighted approaching problems in public services and suggested how the NHS half of expenditure might start addressing them. But pivotal across all public services are staff, whose engagement and motivation will be … Continue reading →

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Christie Eleison III

Posted on July 1, 2011 by davidsberry

Given that the NHS forms half of the £20bn-plus public sector in Scotland, it is disappointing that the Christie report makes only tangential reference to it, and then mostly to plead for better integration with social services. But, however much … Continue reading →

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Christie Eleison II

Posted on June 30, 2011 by davidsberry

Having had the chance to read and digest yesterday’s release of the Christie Commission report, it seems a useful contribution the scale of the future demand for public services but shies badly away from positing real solutions. Statistics quoted for … Continue reading →

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Christie Eleison I

Posted on June 29, 2011 by davidsberry

Like it or not, the debate on Public Services is being shaken up today by the publication of the Christie Commission on Future Delivery of Public Services. Having been wrestling with this particular Hydra for the last four years, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Politics, Transport | 1 Comment

Atkins Diet for Trams?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by davidsberry

I was going to try to content myself with a quick tweet at the emperor’s-clothes insanity about to be laid before Edinburgh City Council next week, anent a writhing can of pythons (possibly Monty but this has gone far beyond … Continue reading →

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Stock Car Racing with an Elise

Posted on June 22, 2011 by davidsberry

“I want to send a clear message across Defence: reckless spending stops here.” Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP, June 14th 2011. Shows you how little he knows of his brief. The MoD announced today (June 22nd) that it has now … Continue reading →

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Logic, But Not As We Know It

Posted on June 20, 2011 by davidsberry

Star Trek’s Spock was never shy in pointing out illogical decisions made by his erratically human Captain Kirk. But one of the disadvantages of union with England is that we Scots have to thole their batty quirkiness when it comes … Continue reading →

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The Hammer Ding-Dong Is the Song

Posted on June 18, 2011 by davidsberry

…of (Inver)clyde. Just back from a coast-to-coast day trip to chip in at the Inverclyde by-election. Caused by the untimely death in his forties of Labour MP and ex-priest David Cairns (who changed the rules so an ex-priest could even be … Continue reading →

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Hey, Big Spender

Posted on June 8, 2011 by davidsberry

One of the ‘advantages’ of the union that is often touted by the likes of Eric “Rentaquote” Joyce and his ilk is that, as a part of Britain, Scotland “punches above its weight” in the world or that we derive … Continue reading →

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Circling the Gunboats

Posted on June 7, 2011 by davidsberry

One month on from the election in which the impossible happened—a party secured a majority at Holyrood—and the world has yet to come to an end, although it might have for some parties, if the way they are behaving is … Continue reading →

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