HEALTHY DEMOGRAPHICS
By
Sally Hughes
Scotland’s National Health Service was created in 1946, at the same time as the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are all separate entities, fully funded by the taxpayers in the host nation.
They came into being on the back of 2 World Wars, and a Flu Epidemic, that turned the world’s powers on their ear, and were inspired by a previous model used in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Scotland’s NHS is funded fully by her taxpayers, not subsidised by England’s as oft-times shouted. Operating and Service Delivery differences between Scotland’s NHS and England’s are due to Political choices and Management decisions, not the generosity of Westminster.
Of course medical cover does not stop at Gretna, if I travel to England and need medical treatment during my stay there, they will provide it…. But the bill gets sent to Tayside Health Board, for that is where I live and pay my taxes. And the opposite applies to those travelling from England to Scotland.
However, what happens if a person retires to a completely different part of the UK from where they have been living, working and paying taxes for the last 30 odd years?
It is commonly expressed that old people run up high health bills. This is not entirely accurate. Specifically, the last 6 months of a person’s life will generally cost the most in health care, and this applies to children and young adults, as much as pensioners.
It’s just that by the time you get to your 80’s, wear and tear on the body will be a thing, and you won’t have as many ‘last 6 months’ in you, as you used to.
Since Scotland’s Independence Referendum 2014, anecdotally, people in Scotland have been talking about a marked increase in English people retiring to Scotland. If true, in addition to changing the dynamics of areas, (pricing young workers out of the area), placing a higher burden on rural care services, it might have a considerable influence on any future vote for Scottish Independence.
For that reason, the reality of how Scotland’s NHS is funded when it comes to retirees moving into different Health Board Areas needs to be disseminated and addressed.
Every patient seen by SNHS is issued a unique patient ID number, it’s called a Community Health Index Number (CHI). Different recording / Identity methods are used in England and Wales, they are non transferable.
Since it’s likely that those moving to Scotland on a permanent basis will sign on with a GP in their new home area, the possibility exists that these newly issued CHI numbers will provide a window, or dip test of changing demographics.
To this end FOI Request 2023-000075 was requested and asked the following:
How many New COMMUNITY HEALTH INDEX NUMBERS were issued/
generated for those aged over 50 in the following years:
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
What is the distribution of these New Numbers across each of Scotland’s NHS 14 Health Boards – a total from 2017 to 2022 for each Board area would suffice.
The results for Non Transfer (ie Brand New) CHI numbers for each area is as follows:
For conciseness I’ve produced the figures for 2017, 2021, 2022, and a total for 2017 – 2022 including years ’18, ’19 and ’20.
I’ve taken 2017 as a base year, and compared it to the New CHI numbers in percentage terms for years 2021 and 2022.
Arran/Ayrshire Y2017 516 Y2021 706 (+ 36%) Y2022 667 (+22%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +3344
Borders Y2017 461 Y2021 733 (+59%) Y2022 499 (+8%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +2958
Clyde Y2017 686 Y2021 1072 (+56%) Y2022 783 (+14%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +4500
Dumfs/Gall’w Y2017 615 Y2021 1012 (+64%) Y2022 781 (+27%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +4355
Fife Y2017 450 Y2021 673 (+49%) Y2022 489 (+8.6%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +3035
Forth Valley Y2017 369 T2021 474 (+28%) Y2022 468 (+27%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +2212
Grampian Y2017 959 Y2021 2318 (+141%) Y2022 1846 (+92%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +7986
Glasgow Y2017 750 Y2021 1459 (+94%) Y2022 1530 (+104%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +6230
Highlands Y2017 815 Y2021 1323 (+62%) Y2022 1321 (+62%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +5922
Lanarkshire Y2017 461 Y2021 706 (+53%) Y2022 776 (+68%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +3381
Lothian Y2017 1328 Y2021 2722 (+105%) Y2022 2957 (+122%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +11360
Orkney Y2017 125 Y2021 199 (+59%) Y2022 115 (-8%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +756
Shetland Y2017 59 Y2021 154 (+161%) Y2022 129 (+118%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +544
Tayside Y2017 534 Y2017 1143 (+114%) Y2022 939 (+76%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +4394
Western Isles Y2017 108 Y2021 188 (+74%) Y2022 105 (-3.7%)
Total Increase Y2017 – 2022 +678
Of course the above tells us nothing of the nationality of those obtaining new CHI numbers, only that they are aged over 50.
It will be for others to speculate, or evidence, which demographic group/s they belong to. Anecdotally I would suggest that the Eastern Europeans who used to grace our neighbourhood in Tayside, especially in summer, during the Berry picking season, prior to Brexit, were a lot younger than 50.
It will also be for others to work out if politicians in their area need to worry about such changing demographics…. Would a change of +4394 in Tayside affect the election of SNP candidates, for example?
Grampian +7986? Lothian +11,360?
At least with this information, an argument can be made, that for our elderly, new Scots, come to retire to Scotland, for a lovely view, and the safety net of a functioning NHS, Independence could just be their healthiest option.
MY COMMENTS
Limited due to being on holiday. My thanks to Sally for this article.
I am, as always
Yours for Scotland.
YOURS FOR SCOTLAND 
Statistics need to be treated with care. However these statistics are absolutely fascinating.
Taken in isolation some of the percentage numbers of new CHI numbers for over 50’s are absolutely incredible. Using 2022 percentages for Lothian +122%, Shetland +118%, Glasgow +104% , Grampian 92% and Tayside +72% are we really saying that this is the percentage of immigration of the over 50’s into Scotland.
This is an incredible figure. And since since Glasgow, Lothian, Grampian and Tayside represent the substantial majority of people in Scotland, are we really saying that in the over 50’s we are sustaining, based on 2022 something like a 100% immigration increase of people age skewed over 50.
With Scotland already sustaining an aging population with the attendant burden that an aging population imposes where and why are so many age skewed folks coming to Scotland. With property prices hugely greater in the south of England than in Scotland could disproportionately well heeled property persons in the south be selling up and moving to Scotland..
Certainly seems that this could be the case and one only needs to go to the rural Highlands to see the influx of folks from the south buying into the area. But the devil is in the detail and most interestingly, for whatever reason, the Scottish Government have not released the last Census Data.
A most interesting analysis of CHI numbers. Certainly tells you something. Government certainly knows the answers but is not saying. But maybe one last point as we sit in the darkness of the lack of governmental information is that when anyone tries to register with a GP in Scotland their details are run though Home Office computers.
Your GP practice will not tell you that but your GP is a point of UK state monitoring directly linked to the security mechanisms of the UK state. And yes, your data is shared with the Home office, Immigration Service, HM Revenue and Customs and Police.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It would be good to get a link to the raw data so can display it. This confirms what I have witnessing in rural Perthshire.
LikeLike
“Highly imaginative” and “most impressive” work, spring to mind. “Surprise”, not at all.
LikeLiked by 3 people
D day for the SNP as the leadership polls close and we get to see if there will still be a party to salvage or if the party is finished. I suspect it is over and they will end up like the Libdems a shadow of what they once were bumping their gums and banging on about trans rights and the like. If Kate or Ash wins the Greens have threatened to go in the huff which would be a good thing if it got Harvie and Slater away from the levers of power. If Humza wins it will be all over and it remains to be seen if Alba or ISP can take up the slack and provide a home for those that still want independence. Over to you Salvo.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree, as would most others who have a fair idea of what Sturgeon and the SNP have been peddling instead of independence, that with a win for Humza Yousaf, Scotland loses. However, if he does win, then that will set the seal on the SNP being a party intent on independence for the people of Scotland and leave no-one in any doubt regarding their future intentions.
Even if he loses, whoever becomes FM. they will spend the years of their tenure trying (probably unsuccessfully) to hold what they have left, instead of full concentration to the restoration of our rights and self-determination.
For most of us, it would be a relief to finally draw a line under the SNP as it is now and move on with the essential business of building Salvo and Liberation. To continue pouring our time and our resources into playing Westminster’s games is counter-productive and just what they would love us to do. Why change a winning strategy?
It is a long time since, Westminster feared a Scottish party of independence, but they will fear Salvo and Liberation as a people’s movement, and that will be far more dangerous to the union than any political party could ever be!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What an interesting and revealing article. Clever thinking, thank you. I am one of the many elderly English who have sought refuge in Scotland from an increasingly rapacious Tory government whose behaviour from 2010 to 2013 (when I sank into the decency of Scotland with huge relief) was indicative of the usual mean spirited, short sighted removal of hope for anyone below middle class however meritorious. I think this raises again the knotty question of how and who should decide/vote for independence. I am totally for it, but I hated the Tory regime from Thatcher’s day (only disagreed and distrusted before that) so the truly democratic system then espoused by the SNP was manna from heaven. The SNP totally respected the will and experiences of the people such that the cabinet in its entirety would travel to districts to hear for themselves what people thought or aspired to. I was amazed.
I thought Alex Salmond made a mistake when he resigned but such was the goodwill towards the charming, witty and warm hearted Nicola that we all threw as much approval and support at her as we could. Maybe she took fright at observing the brutal attacks of the Labour right on new leader Jeremy Corbyn but it seems now that in private Nicola’s firm intent was total control, and that her years working towards devolution had influenced her more than we could guess – safer maybe, richer pickings for her, who knows. But she did become a tyrant and a lot of vibrant people with varied ideas shut up rapidly under her regime. Many people have said how bright Hamza was, Alex Salmond still says so. He has, as Kate said, consistently failed to make the departments he has led function smoothly. But look how the superb Jean Freeman was shut down and superceded by Nicola. Perhaps it won’t be so awful if Hamza wins, maybe he’ll get back into his former stride. I really hope for the mature and life-experienced Ash to win, but she has had the secret Establishment of the NEC firmly shutting her out, she never even got equal time on screen, and they have been so good at stifling good or new ideas/ideals. The SNP as was has been hijacked and the members kept silent under a charm offensive managed with skill. Alba is close in numbers to the SNP now, so there are two independence parties, one which has been kept muffled and one which has been pursuing the personal agenda of the warped Nicola’s ego trip into ? . We have Salvo in the wings, must surely be getting close to the required 100,000 signatures needed to apply to the UN for legal recognition of our nation status, which would change the focus altogether. So we are at the beginning of some very good chances. Perhaps whoever wins will earn my undying gratitude by coming down from the heights of exciting social reform uproar and paying attention to what really affects our national pride like getting the roads repaired and the gutters cleaned so we have the appearance at least of being clean with a scrubbed doorstep despite poverty.
Meantime, I don’t see why the Scots should grant me a vote about independence or any of the major cultural philosophies that underpin national identity. I do think that voting in council elections should include us all, because the local councils affect our day to day living and should be compulsory from age 11 so the young know what pays for what and why.
Well if you got to the end of all that, friends, I thank you. Scotland is a wonderful place to live despite the despot, and it’s heart and spirit come from it’s very lovely generous people. That and the scenery….pretty much irresistible.
Fab and farsighted article, thanks.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you for your reply, your attitude towards Scottish Independence and whether you should be allowed to vote in same. It’s very important I think, that English Yes supporters voice their concerns on this issue, as it debunks the ‘entitled English’ attitude on the other side.
I’m very relieved that essay came across in a positive, constructive and fair way.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Do we know when CHI numbers were introduced? I was wondering if some of these ‘new’ Scots might actually be Scots who have spent their working life outside Scotland and have retired back here.
The census figures would be interesting!
LikeLike
Hello Dave,
I was provided with Transfer CHI figures, which would undoubtedly include the group you describe (as far as I am aware the SNHS has always had CHI numbers, or a variation of same – they’ve certainly been on the go since before 2014…. which means from a changing demographic point of view and its impact on Indy, the above essay highlights some interesting changes).
Transfer CHI numbers would also include someone from Tayside moving to Glasgow…. which of course is ‘no change’ when it comes to indigenous demographics and the funding issue.
With regards ‘auld Scots’ coming hame and being issued with a new CHI number…. I’d suggest from an NHS funding aspect, they are also included in the above essay.
Kind regards.
LikeLike
Good work but, as the author says, it would be more than useful if the nationality / country of birth would be available to really bring it to life in terms of those wishing for the nice view and perks of living in Scotland.
LikeLiked by 4 people
In view of the lack of a published Census, this was the best I could do. As stated its a snap shot/dip sample…. not the full picture.
However I do think it revealing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Of course … I wasn’t meaning to denigrate your work in any way. On the contrary it’s impressive.
Looking at National Records of Scotland data which estimates that 134000 people in total have moved to Scotland from rUK between 2014-21. It can be deduced from the data that around 9% were in the 65+ age group with 11% in the 55-64 cohort. So one-fifth either retired or soon to retire. We know from (Edinburgh University) sample studies that around three-quarters of those born elsewhere in the UK voted NO in the Independence Referendum.
So, yes, big implications indeed both financially and constitutionally.
I wasn’t aware of the financial transfers between the various national health services either or that NHS Scotland is fully funded here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A big question that remains unanswered is that if Census statistics are important, which they are, is why the ten year interval Census was
– a) delayed by a year after the rest of UK and
– b) why the data nearly two years on has still not been released.
Indeed last time I looked at the census web site there was pap about a public consultation about what statistics should be released.
With all the hallmarks of governmental delay and secrecy something stinks and I fear we know exactly what is being hidden and why.
The Plantation of Scotland, like Ulster before it, is well underway.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Ramblings of a now 60+ Female.
LikeLike
Is the NHS funded by Tax? Surely it is funded by Government spending. Tax is only a way of balancing Inflation and modifying behaviours. A fiat currency issuer, like Scotland must become when independent, can fund the NHS to whatever level is politically desired and this is where the outdated “balance the books” way of thinking falls down. We can’t afford it they claim. Look at MMT and Stephanie Kelton for more on this. Unlike England and the tories who are intent on tearing the NHS down to be replaced by Medical insurance and the US model – while also lining their own pockets, we must do much better. Save our NHS, build it up, invest in it. Where will the money come from? See above. Yes, the Modern Money Theory aka the Magic Money Tree, it does exist. Look at wars, covid, bank bailouts etc, they issue money when expedient and when it suits them, but then tell us we all have to suffer austerity to pay for it. That is the big con, and that is the paradigm we must bust. So, please, taxpayers do not fund the NHS, it is funded by Government spending and we the people have to demand better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Statistics are nice, and the above are very interesting. I do appreciate the work that goes into collecting and analysing official figures. I look at patterns. I’ve looked at current news items in which the streets of our cities may be seen. The streets are crowded, pavements with people, roads with vehicles. In the 1950s the pictures we see, newsreels etc, the streets are not crowded, not the roads and not the pavements.
In the 50s the population was give as 5.1m, now it is given as 5.5m, official figures, rounded. The increase is 371,000 a percentage of +7%. Comparing the pictures I would say that the population has doubled, not increase by less than one in ten.
I do not believe the official figures. The government, of whatever political persuasion, has a vested interest in falsifying the figures. To do otherwise would result in a demand to minimise or eliminate immigration.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That will be why we never did see the census figures.
LikeLike
Hi Iain and Sally
I have looked at the new 50+ CHIs as a percentage of the base population in 2017 which shows where the ageing incomers are heading in percentage terms. There is more data available on in migration which could be looked at but I would need the data from the FOI. I had to aggregate Glasgow and Clyde to fit with the 2017 areas available from NRS. Happy to help with analysis and visuals, day job allowing.
NHS Board area
2017 Population
2022 50+ new CHI Reg
Additional 50+CHI 2017-22 as %of base pop 2017
Ayrshire and Arran
370,410
3,344
0.90
Borders
115,020
2,958
2.57
Dumfries and Galloway
149,200
4,355
2.92
Fife
371,410
3,035
0.82
Forth Valley
305,580
2,212
0.72
Grampian
586,380
7,986
1.36
Greater Glasgow and Clyde
1,169,110
10,730
0.92
Highland
321,990
5,922
1.84
Lanarkshire
658,130
3,381
0.51
Lothian
889,450
11,360
1.28
Orkney
22,000
756
3.44
Shetland
23,080
544
2.36
Tayside
416,090
4,394
1.06
Western Isles
26,950
678
2.52
[cid:image004.png@01D960A3.B96C0460]
Lindsey Simpson BA BSc DipM FRSA
simpson consulting ltd
economic research and
economic development
[cid:image003.png@01D960A3.B1E37570]
Telephone:07710 354 498
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lindsey, I’ll phone you.. My mobile ends 806.
LikeLike
This is really thought-provoking stuff. It makes you think again about how much Scotland is impacted by the invasion of the English. It is a shame that the greater detail of these figures is not available. How many other public services are affected, you wonder.
I am not surprised at the Grampian figures as this region is pretty much taken over. Or it feels like it, I have had 2 workmen in the house this last month, both English (still renovating, 4 long years now), I am served by an English person in the village shop, and walking along the street its English voices I hear. However, at least these ones are working and paying into the system.
What is the true cost to Scotland for being the holiday home, the playground, and the retirement village for the English? And it is just English, I don’t hear Welsh voices or Irish voices everywhere I go. Although I am told that one of the largest single landowners is a Dane. But as he is a multi-billionaire, I doubt he’s using our public services.
This is something a good Scottish Government would be looking at but will be scared to do so at the risk of being accused of being anti-English.
I very much doubt there is a mad rush of Scots retiring to England, more likely they have had to go there for work and paid into their system and then come home to retire.
I make no apology for this sounding anti-English, I am not, it’s just how it is and if it is OK for Scotland to be used in this way then it’s OK for us to point out it is happening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I notice Sally Hughes is not sure how far back CHI goes. I worked in Scottish NHS I.T. systems for 33 years. I believe the first health board to use CHI was Tayside in 1975 and I remember in 1993 Borders became the 15th and last board to start using CHI. Hence we are now at a point where CHI has been in use in the whole of Scotland for thirty years.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Ewan.
I couldn’t find those details when I searched the internet.
LikeLike
So the SNP death warrant has been signed.
The Queen is dead, and a new Queen anointed. But not for long.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Humza Yusaf wins. Hardly a surprise. So Sturgeon will still be in control as a back seat driver. She took a vibrant, energetic and optimistic movement, and remade it in her own image. Paranoid, suspicious, and corrupt.
I expect to see a mass exodus from the SNP now. Hopefully they will join ALBA and help to rebuild the movement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hopefully Gartcosh will continue regardless …
LikeLiked by 3 people
Looks like I will have a relatively simple task voting in the next national elections as If either Alba or ISP do not stand out here in the sticks it will be spoil my ballot as there is no one left to vote for. The turnout of 70% in a vote as important as this suggests the true membership figure for the SNP is slightly North of 50,000 and likely to continue to fall. Congratulations Humza and good luck as you are going to need it you little scamp.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Those who joined pre-2014 and largely voted for Forbes now need to ask themselves if there is any point propping up this incompetent indy corpse.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Free prescriptions should only be for the indigenous population that have.paid their taxes in Scotland.
We only get a third of our taxation back into Scotland, subsidising the rest of the UK with 2 thirds of Scotish Taxpayers money. The settlers who come here for the benefits of free prescriptions are the very people who vote against independence and put a financial burden on our NHS. These are the same people that threaten our NHS . The colonial settlers should not be allowed to buy houses where there are shortages eg the Highlands and Islands which is rapidly becoming a English enclave where the indigenous Scots cannot afford to by houses in their own communities.
Dissolve the Union.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Humsa is a clear message form our colonial masters there is no democratic way out of this coercive Union. They have fiddled the SNP Leadership as they did with the referendum in 2014.
The cannot influence the will of the people so they do the next best thing for them, they infiltrate the main vehicle for independence and turn it with there Unionists lackeys. Does anybody think Humsa won this Leadership race without it being fixed by the Murrells and the security services. This remember was the least popular candidate, the continuity candidate. His mission is to finally destroy the independence movement forever.
We must now ditch this lot of gravey trainers and now Vote for other independence parties.
Look at Irish politics and you understand what page the colonial masters are reading on the subversion of the natives.
Dissolve the Union.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Robin McAlpine is very angry at the SNP.
http://robinmcalpine.org/fuck-it-thisll-do-said-the-snp/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Useless lacks the brass neck of Sturgeon – she may pull his strings but she can’t wear him like a body suit. He won’t stand up to the rain of anger YES must now pour onto the entitled, incompetent SNP. And pour anger we must – that time has come and this needs to be wide spread dissent to reject both Westminster and Vichy Holyrood. We need to call them both out as the offensive, unlawful, amoral, oppressive troughers that they are. This is the time of Red Sovereignty. We always knew it would not be easy – this feels real. Lets get it done! Now we stand up or we are complicit in what is fast becoming a failed, Stalinist/Nazi (extremes meet) state.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Behold the principled ‘king makers’!
I wonder what would have happened yesterday had a pro-indy minority party held the balance of power in holyrood. What would their ‘red lines’ be for voting for Humza Murrell as FM? An October plebiscite?
A constitutional convention perhaps? Maybe a public energy company (vital to head ‘GB energy’ off at the pass).
Instead we got the Scottish greens who told us yesterday who they really are.
In the lead-up to the election result Patrick Harvie told his party conference, “a sincere commitment to progressive values cannot be an optional extra in a choice of first minister”. In other words – a progressive SNP leader is a necessity. Lorna Slater insisted that the greens would not put their principles to one side.
So were we going to see the greens use their political clout to force a u turn on freeports or push for meaningful land reform? No of course not. They were simply talking about GRR.
Freeports are an assault on income and working conditions, they won’t be green and will potentially lob a big brick through any land reform – which of course the SNP were never remotely serious about anyway. But I was assured yesterday that the greens are against freeports. They have a ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement where they don’t have to support the SNP on every policy. They’re obviously not opposed enough to forgo the ministerial salary. Well they can’t have it both ways. Perhaps Mr Harvie should have kept his mouth shut, but now he must take responsibility for the absolute cluster-fandango us mere mortals will have to endure.
The ‘green’ kingmakers are happy to watch from the cycle lanes whilst we are thrown under a bus. They clearly see freeports as part of a progressive society, or they would not have given Humza Yurgeon their support. Neoliberals on bikes, but careerist neoliberals just the same. They’re not green, they are certainly not progressive as we have also seen with their handouts to big corp, and of course they are no friends of Scottish independence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is Sturgeons gift: the disgraceful abuse of state power to discredit Salmond has one goal: the continuance of one YES party being in power while three unionist parties managed a split vote between them. Faced with the D’Hondt system she chose the minority, fringe and sadly perverted Greens to take the list seats. Now Scotland has, in effect, a Green SG THAT NO_ONE VOTED FOR. Sorry to shout – I am SO angry. That pair of clowns strut around ruining the economy and abusing our democracy because the useless SNP allowed it – and Useless will not stop it.
I have a slogan for the nuSNP: USELESS for Scotland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never been a member of a political party, have voted SNP all my adult life, today I joined Alba, in the hope that their membership would swell with disgruntled SNP members jumping ship, sick of all this shit, at the rate the Tories are stealing our oil there will be bugger all left by the time the current SNP get us there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Sally
I am sorry, I must have noted your e mail down incorrectly as it has bounced back. Could you reply to me on this e mail please and then we will be in contact.
Kind regards
Lindsey
Lindsey Simpson BA BSc DipM FRSA
simpson consulting ltd
economic research and
economic development
[cid:image003.png@01D960A3.B1E37570]
Telephone:07710 354 498
LikeLike
text message sent with email address on it. Cheerie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a pro-Indy Englishman I had long hoped to retire to the Grampian area. I visit as often as I can afford, and I am active locally. The landscape calls to me. I feel welcomed by those who I know and work alongside.
Where I live, the Tory always gets voted in. I had wished to move to a sensibly-run country, not lead by wealthy exploiters. However health issues, plus the recent news, caused me to give up.
I wonder what others now think. Perhaps the voting demographic amongst intending migrants has altered, as some drop out?
LikeLike