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Paul Overend

@pauloverend.bsky.social

190 followers 320 following 95 posts

Exploring a “spirituality” of simplicity, serenity, study, solitude, and silence by the sea. 💚 Pursuing flourishing in the autumn of life 🍂 🌱 A former priest and educator, in the secluse retirement of a secular vānaprastha 🦉 🍃 b. @ 321.59 ppm 🇺🇳🆘🇪🇺

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · Sep 5

Today, #CO2 levels measured 425.65 ppm

I was born @ 321.59 ppm. (In Jan, I’ll be 60.)

In my life it has increased over 100 ppm - though the 60 years before I lived it had increased only 23.27ppm

What about you?

www.nature.org/en-us/get-in...

What’s Your Birth Carbon?

How much have carbon dioxide levels increased during your lifetime? Start by seeing what levels were like during the year you were born, and learn what we can do to solve climate change.

www.nature.org

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 27m

David Rothkopf notes that Erika Kirk and Vice President Vance’s ‘message was unmistakable: The future of MAGA is Christian nationalism.’ A worrying future of Christofascism, I think!
www.thedailybeast.com/the-maga-mov...

The MAGA Movement Is Ready to Dump Donald Trump. Here’s His Replacement

The future of MAGA is Christian nationalism. And that calls for a heavenly figure at the helm.

www.thedailybeast.com

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 14h

"The decision to grant officer commissions to executives with no military background, without clear recusal from future defense business, sparked concerns of ethical lapses and blurred lines.“
Making executives of Palantir, Meta & OpenAI lieutenant colonels is a worrying development of AI warfare.

Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 1d

“Tech Executives [From Palantir, Meta, and OpenAI] Commissioned as Senior Army Officers Won't Recuse Themselves from DoD Business Dealings” 6/27/25 www.military.com/daily-news/2...

Tech Executives Commissioned as Senior Army Officers Won't Recuse Themselves from DoD Business Dealings

The new formation is set to recruit tech executives to work on major Army challenges, but the service has not articulated exactly what those individuals would do -- instead focusing on recruiting tale...

www.military.com

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 1d

A very worrying indicator of the rise of Christofascism is the UK!

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 1d

Really not good at all that the Christian Right feels emboldened enough to parade in Soho in paramilitary uniforms. www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/10/k...

Evangelical 'King's Army' group disrupts traffic in historic LGBTQ+ London district

A right-wing, evangelical group calling itself the King's Army blocked traffic on Old Compton Street in Soho while chanting anti-LGBTQ+ slogans.

www.thepinknews.com

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 1d

Inequality is not falling. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/10...

Inequality is not falling

The background The claim that inequality is falling is a claim that is often trotted out by right-wing commentators, backed by selective income statistics. It happened in a comment on this blog in t...

www.taxresearch.org.uk

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 1d

This superb edition is 22 minutes long, but time well spent. It is motivating. It doesn’t just explain why some statistics fail to capture true inequality, but begins to look for solutions.

Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 1d

Right-wing commentators claim inequality in Britain is falling. It isn’t. In this video, I expose the real story behind Britain’s growing inequality and why official data is misleading, as well as suggesting what we need to do to tackle this issue. youtu.be/WhFPzDWOQzk?...

Is Britain's inequality really decreasing?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

youtu.be

Reposted by Paul Overend

Tax Justice UK @taxjusticeuk.bsky.social · 4d

Is this the answer to HMRC's billionaire blindspot 👀🤑? 🧵 1/5

A new report in the FT shows that HMRC clever 'big data' tech tools enabled HMRC to recoup £4.6billion in unpaid taxes last year.

That's more than the entire budget for NHS dentistry!

ft.com/content/4733...

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Reposted by Paul Overend

Oxfam EU @oxfameu.bsky.social · 3d

📢 EU Billionaires’ wealth surges by over €400bn in first half of 2025.

That’s over €2bn a day.

🔗https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/eu-billionaires-wealth-surges-over-eu400-billion-first-half-2025

#TaxTheRich

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 2d

Neat summary of #MMT by @richardjmurphy.bsky.social with a valuable and helpful assessment of possible reaction by bond markets. I wish discussion of wealth tax by @zackpolanski.bsky.social informed the narrative on MMT and inequality and not taxes “funding“ social goods.

youtu.be/ufst9cxbyZA?...

What if the UK admitted it uses MMT and turned that into its superpower?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

youtu.be

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 3d

‘“If anything is going to finish this Labour government, it will be the cost of living,” says Alfie Stirling, director of insight and policy’ at @jrf-uk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Worried about rising bills and getting by? Keir Starmer has the answer: try chewing a flag! | Aditya Chakrabortty

The PM wants to talk about patriotism when the issue that is really affecting people is the cost of living. If he doesn’t wise up, that dissonance will sink him, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrab...

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Paul Overend

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 3d

Astonishing advance by the Greens, astonishing implosion of Labour. When will Starmer's government get the message that it is destroying its base with deeply unpopular, rightwing policies?

By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 3d

Latest poll puts Greens just two points behind Labour. When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them, I meant it.

Join us and let's make hope normal again.

join.greenparty.org.uk

Poll from find out now showing greens on 15 and labour and Tories on 17. Reform on 32.

98 430 1.5K

Reposted by Paul Overend

Climate Tracker @climate.skyfleet.blue · 3d

‘Humanitarian’ visa must be created for Pacific Islanders displaced by climate crisis, experts say #Climate

‘Humanitarian’ visa must be created for Pacific Islanders displaced by climate crisis, experts say

Calls for reform to allow people across the Pacific threatened by climate crisis to more easily migrate, particularly to New Zealand

www.theguardian.com

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 3d

Interesting how a provocative headline #AbolishLandlords from @greenparty.org.uk has caught suspicious attention in the media - here by @newstatesman.bsky.social - but enabled an important discussion on social housing and rentier wealth extraction.
youtu.be/uxQbBMugpHQ?...

So, should we abolish landlords? | Economics | New Statesman

YouTube video by The New Statesman

youtu.be

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 5d

Two years
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Two years of hell: A timeline of key events in the Israel-Gaza war

***

www.haaretz.com

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 5d

A 20-Point Peace Plan Without US-UK Colonialism by
Jeffrey D. Sachs and Sybil Fares
www.commondreams.org/opinion/20-p...

A 20-Point Peace Plan Without US-UK Colonialism | Common Dreams

A revised version of the Trump plan for an end of the war in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank. This is the moment for honesty, global resolve, and moral clarity.

www.commondreams.org

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 7d

observer.co.uk/news/politic...

‘Nine-jobs Nigel’: Farage denies not declaring extra earn...

Roles outside Parliament make Reform leader the highest-earning MP, but register of interests has not been updated since end of May

observer.co.uk

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 8d

What a team #GreenPartyConference
youtube.com/live/Nw1waIc...

Co-Deputy Leaders' Speech - Rachel Millward & Mothin Ali at Green Party Conference 2025

YouTube video by Green Party of England & Wales

youtube.com

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 8d

Millions of us are still struggling to access affordable NHS dental care. I’ve signed 38 Degrees’ petition demanding Keir Starmer properly funds NHS dentistry now, will you join me? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...

Save NHS dentistry now!

I just signed the 38 Degrees petition calling on the Government to properly fund NHS dentistry. Millions of us are still struggling to access affordable dental care, so now the Government needs to stu...

you.38degrees.org.uk

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 8d

This definition of fascism includes economic neoliberalism. By contrast, Richard Murphy says,
“Respect for equality requires an economy of care and not one in which people are simply treated as means of production. We are not that. We are people of worth…”
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/10...

What is fascism?

Fascism is not just about Mussolini or Hitler. It is an ideology that divides humanity into “superior” and “inferior” groups — with catastrophic consequences. In this video, I explain what fascism rea...

www.taxresearch.org.uk

Reposted by Paul Overend

Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 9d

Green party leader urges the Bank of England to stop paying interest on commercial banks' reserves.

ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves.

The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE.

What could govt do with £20bn?
archive.ph/LyP2e

Green leader calls for BoE to end interest payments to commercial banks

Zack Polanski echoes Reform UK’s push for central bank policy change

www.ft.com

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 9d

@richardjmurphy.bsky.social notes an important policy that would separate the @greenparty.org.uk under @zackpolanski.bsky.social from the other parties. excellent news if true!

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/10...

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 10d

@labourlewis.bsky.social gives a very good good lecture indeed! 👏 The asides against the current Labour leadership, though, reveal serious discontent though, which I guess is indicative of a mood among Labour MPs?

Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis.bsky.social · 11d

20 years on from the passing of Robin Cook, I delivered the Robin Cook Memorial Lecture.

You can read the published version of my speech here.

www.compassonline.org.uk/publications...

2025 Robin Cook Memorial Lecture - Compass

20 years on from his passing, it is as important now just as it ever has been to remember Robin Cook's life and reflect on his political commitment to democracy, environmental justice and internationa...

www.compassonline.org.uk

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 11d

The analysis and observation of Rory Stuart and @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social is spot on here in this episode of @therestpolitics.bsky.social - which, as usual, is really well worth watching.
youtu.be/1ZhifRHYLfA

Rory Stewart Debunks Trump's Gaza Plan

YouTube video by The Rest Is Politics

youtu.be

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Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 13d

I’d like to hear @zackpolanski.bsky.social interview @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social - John brought together some great people together in policy think tanks.

Bold Politics with Zack Polanski @boldpolitics.bsky.social · 14d

Excellent taste from @radiotimes.bsky.social who chose Bold Politics with @zackpolanski.bsky.social as their podcast pick of the week!

radio times article with zack polanski as their podcast pick of the week

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 15d

I just signed this petition calling for better cooperation with the EU on the environment. Will you add your name, too? www.europeanmovement.co.uk/uk-eu-enviro...

Tell The Government: Strengthen UK-EU Environmental Cooperation

Climate change and environmental problems don't respect borders. The UK and EU must work together to protect our shared environment, tackle the climate crisis, and preserve biodiversity for future gen...

www.europeanmovement.co.uk

Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 15d

@andyburnham.bsky.social needs to be an MP before the May election results - or someone else will topple Starmer first!

The i Paper @theipaper.com · 15d

‘Andy is absolutely bang up for it’: Inside Burnham’s leadership plot trib.al/po8FDXw

‘Andy is absolutely bang up for it’: Inside Burnham’s leadership plot

A source close to Greater Manchester Mayor tells The i Paper his desire is far more serious than is being admitted publicly

trib.al

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