Paul Barbour - personal account
@paulbarbour.bsky.social
🇺🇦🇬🇧🇪🇺 personal views only. Father, husband, Europhile, internationalist, climate change is real.
Lib Dems joining up with the Tories to avoid providing houses for the UK's growing population and the next generation. Pure NIMBY-ism.They could and should use their imagination to build denser housing on brownfield and/or simply build UP. yimbyalliance.org @rozsavage.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Lib Dems joining up with the Tories to avoid providing houses for the UK's growing population and the next generation. Pure NIMBY-ism.They could and should use their imagination to build denser housing on brownfield and/or simply build UP. yimbyalliance.org @rozsavage.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
New: Boris Johnson’s ‘Brexit Titanic success’ was half right
Nearly ten years on, the first full assessment of Brexit confirms what millions warned: Britain made itself poorer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
👇👇👇👇
Please sign & share the bejeezus out of this✊️✌️💞
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
This is one of the big accounts boosting Tommy Robinson, Farage and Reform and ‘English Patriots’.
It’s Russian.
It’s Russian.
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This is one of the big accounts boosting Tommy Robinson, Farage and Reform and ‘English Patriots’.
It’s Russian.
It’s Russian.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Summarised all the Budget preview pieces to save you time:
Reeves was going to raise income tax but since the forecast is a bit better she won’t. Instead she’ll just do a bunch of tweaks and freezes that will annoy everyone and not leave her enough headroom to avoid the same thing next year. 1/2
Reeves was going to raise income tax but since the forecast is a bit better she won’t. Instead she’ll just do a bunch of tweaks and freezes that will annoy everyone and not leave her enough headroom to avoid the same thing next year. 1/2
November 23, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Summarised all the Budget preview pieces to save you time:
Reeves was going to raise income tax but since the forecast is a bit better she won’t. Instead she’ll just do a bunch of tweaks and freezes that will annoy everyone and not leave her enough headroom to avoid the same thing next year. 1/2
Reeves was going to raise income tax but since the forecast is a bit better she won’t. Instead she’ll just do a bunch of tweaks and freezes that will annoy everyone and not leave her enough headroom to avoid the same thing next year. 1/2
So many voices now saying "Ukraine can do w/o USAand its Europe time to step up." But in fact, as Sweden’s foreign minister has explained, EU states have paid Russia €311 billion for imports since the full-scale invasion while providing only €187 billion in support to Kyiv.
EU Finances Russia More Than Ukraine; Sweden Calls It “A Disgrace” And Demands Action Now
YouTube video by Times Now World
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
So many voices now saying "Ukraine can do w/o USAand its Europe time to step up." But in fact, as Sweden’s foreign minister has explained, EU states have paid Russia €311 billion for imports since the full-scale invasion while providing only €187 billion in support to Kyiv.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
The Mormon and family man received payment for making statements supporting pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine
Nathan Gill, Reform’s ex-leader in Wales, jailed for Russian bribes
The Mormon and family man received payment for making statements supporting pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine
www.thetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The Mormon and family man received payment for making statements supporting pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Savage piece by Janan Ganesh in the FT on Labour - and the UK’s - predicament. In short, Starmer and Reeves are rubbish - every possible replacement is worse.
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Savage piece by Janan Ganesh in the FT on Labour - and the UK’s - predicament. In short, Starmer and Reeves are rubbish - every possible replacement is worse.
Zelensky seeks peace while Russia drops bombs on apartment buildings.
Zelensky visits Turkey in a bid to 'intensify' peace talks
There were no plans for the Russian side to join the talks, the Kremlin said.
www.bbc.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Zelensky seeks peace while Russia drops bombs on apartment buildings.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Magnificent and right from Janan Ganesh: this is as good as it gets for this government www.ft.com/content/68ee...
November 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Magnificent and right from Janan Ganesh: this is as good as it gets for this government www.ft.com/content/68ee...
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
The government’s latest reversal shows that Labour has no plan on.ft.com/3JTONRF
The government’s latest reversal shows that Labour has no plan
The long roar of speculation about the Budget has already damaged market confidence
on.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The government’s latest reversal shows that Labour has no plan on.ft.com/3JTONRF
My favourite new pod. Great but infuriating stories about how the well-meaning left, and the not so well -meaning right, collude to stop building of anything, by any means possible. NIMBY-ism writ large. Natural England come out of it looking particularly determined to keep the UK poor.
The Abundance Agenda | James O'Malley | Substack
A podcast about growth and progress. Click to read The Abundance Agenda, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
www.abundancepod.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
My favourite new pod. Great but infuriating stories about how the well-meaning left, and the not so well -meaning right, collude to stop building of anything, by any means possible. NIMBY-ism writ large. Natural England come out of it looking particularly determined to keep the UK poor.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Good morning readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
Russia’s disturbing human ‘safaris’
Violating the laws of war, Russians have created a sick game of hunting civilians with FPV drones near the frontline. We take you behind the scenes, to the people most affected.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Good morning readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
Excellent article from Martin wolf in today's FT. It's the trajectory (down, down, down) of the UK economy that is so concerning. He hopes RR will be bold and radical. This appears unlikely. Another muddle through tax and spend budget awaits I fear...
The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
Keir Starmer’s government should seize the chance to make radical reforms
on.ft.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Excellent article from Martin wolf in today's FT. It's the trajectory (down, down, down) of the UK economy that is so concerning. He hopes RR will be bold and radical. This appears unlikely. Another muddle through tax and spend budget awaits I fear...
I genuinely hope Trump can pull off a ceasefire. But for Ukraine is survive as an independent state would be seen by Putin and Russia as a failure / loss, so I am not holding my breath. But again, good luck to him.
Trump says he will meet Putin in Hungary for Ukraine talks after 'very productive' call
The US president, who is due to host Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, says there will be fresh US-Russia talks with
www.bbc.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I genuinely hope Trump can pull off a ceasefire. But for Ukraine is survive as an independent state would be seen by Putin and Russia as a failure / loss, so I am not holding my breath. But again, good luck to him.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Please join me in a new campaign to help protect Ukrainians in a very special way. My Ukrainian friends chose to call this campaign Freedom is Action. They are making an important point. One way to find our own courage is to act in support those who are showing it
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
Freedom is Action: A Campaign for Ukraine
A fundraiser for life-saving drone-jamming cars and trucks
snyder.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Please join me in a new campaign to help protect Ukrainians in a very special way. My Ukrainian friends chose to call this campaign Freedom is Action. They are making an important point. One way to find our own courage is to act in support those who are showing it
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
From Sunday, travelling into Europe gets tougher for Brits.
New EU border rules mean fingerprint scans, photo registration and longer queues.
This is the real-world cost of Brexit - more hassle, more red tape, more delays.
New EU border rules mean fingerprint scans, photo registration and longer queues.
This is the real-world cost of Brexit - more hassle, more red tape, more delays.
October 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
From Sunday, travelling into Europe gets tougher for Brits.
New EU border rules mean fingerprint scans, photo registration and longer queues.
This is the real-world cost of Brexit - more hassle, more red tape, more delays.
New EU border rules mean fingerprint scans, photo registration and longer queues.
This is the real-world cost of Brexit - more hassle, more red tape, more delays.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
The numbers are clear. Most Britons now believe leaving Europe was a mistake. The next generation knows our future lies in cooperation, not isolation.
October 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The numbers are clear. Most Britons now believe leaving Europe was a mistake. The next generation knows our future lies in cooperation, not isolation.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Wealth gaps between age groups have widened sharply in recent years.
The difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.
Find out more about these trends in our latest report on wealth⬇️
buff.ly/Ya8kInK
The difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.
Find out more about these trends in our latest report on wealth⬇️
buff.ly/Ya8kInK
October 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Wealth gaps between age groups have widened sharply in recent years.
The difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.
Find out more about these trends in our latest report on wealth⬇️
buff.ly/Ya8kInK
The difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.
Find out more about these trends in our latest report on wealth⬇️
buff.ly/Ya8kInK
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Hundreds of Russian/Iranian Shahed attack drones invading Ukrainian airspace tonight, Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers airborne and likely to launch salvos of cruise missiles.
The war could reach Western countries if they don’t give Ukraine more help to defeat fascist Russia.
The war could reach Western countries if they don’t give Ukraine more help to defeat fascist Russia.
October 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Hundreds of Russian/Iranian Shahed attack drones invading Ukrainian airspace tonight, Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers airborne and likely to launch salvos of cruise missiles.
The war could reach Western countries if they don’t give Ukraine more help to defeat fascist Russia.
The war could reach Western countries if they don’t give Ukraine more help to defeat fascist Russia.
Reposted by Paul Barbour - personal account
Nigel Farage of course seems to have been very happy to do his pro-Russian propaganda for free
Anyone surprised? “Former Welsh leader of Reform has pleaded guilty to bribery charges”. Such a patriot he took money to talk pro-Russian propaganda www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ex-Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill pleads guilty to bribery charges
Nathan Gill admits eight charges of bribery while being a Member of the European Parliament.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Nigel Farage of course seems to have been very happy to do his pro-Russian propaganda for free
If the UK economy was growing like this the November budget would be all about tax cuts and expenditure increases. Instead its all about tax increases and expenditure reductions, which leads to lower growth etc etc
US second-quarter GDP growth rate revised up to 3.8%
Consumer spending was stronger than previously reported
www.ft.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
If the UK economy was growing like this the November budget would be all about tax cuts and expenditure increases. Instead its all about tax increases and expenditure reductions, which leads to lower growth etc etc
This is a great book - I can't recommend it enough. It's USA based but applicable to UK also. The authors argue (convincingly) that the political left has adopted a “scarcity mindset” that overregulates, slows development, and fails to build enough housing, infrastructure, and green energy. cont
.
.
September 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This is a great book - I can't recommend it enough. It's USA based but applicable to UK also. The authors argue (convincingly) that the political left has adopted a “scarcity mindset” that overregulates, slows development, and fails to build enough housing, infrastructure, and green energy. cont
.
.