Ollie Crookwood
@olliecrookwood.bsky.social
Scottish Greens candidate for Fort William & Ardnamurchan
Believer in a better future, and the politics of hope.
Believer in a better future, and the politics of hope.
This is a critical threat to global democracy. Advocates of the Laffer curve saying taxing the rich more won’t raise more money fail to comprehend that taxing the rich to reduce inequality is a worthwhile goal in and of itself.
Richest 1/1000th of world’s population controls 3 times more wealth than the poorest 50%. "The global wealth gap has become so staggering, and its impact on economies & democratic institutions so corrosive, that policymakers should treat it as an emergency..." www.commondreams.org/news/world-i...
Richest 0.001% Now Own Three Times More Wealth Than Poorest Half of Humanity Combined | Common Dreams
A landmark report on global inequality shows that
the chasm between the richest slice of humanity and everyone else
continued to expand this year
www.commondreams.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This is a critical threat to global democracy. Advocates of the Laffer curve saying taxing the rich more won’t raise more money fail to comprehend that taxing the rich to reduce inequality is a worthwhile goal in and of itself.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
Plant taxonomy is disappearing - and so is our ability to protect species 🍂
Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.
Read the study’s key findings and what we're doing about it 👇
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa
Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.
Read the study’s key findings and what we're doing about it 👇
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Plant taxonomy is disappearing - and so is our ability to protect species 🍂
Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.
Read the study’s key findings and what we're doing about it 👇
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa
Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.
Read the study’s key findings and what we're doing about it 👇
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa
An extrapolation: a newspaper stops employing an editor, and instead relies on an algorithm to pick which articles reach the front page. Is it still accountable for the things published? If the answer is yes, what if it then allows members of the public to submit articles to the algorithm?
If there’s an algorithm deciding content prioritisation, you’re a publisher? At first blush, this sounds like a good principle. I’d be interested to hear arguments against
This is bang on, if a company selects which posts get seen and promotes them then they ought to be held to the same standard as print media, whether it’s a person selecting what gets viewed or an algorithm.
December 6, 2025 at 6:47 PM
An extrapolation: a newspaper stops employing an editor, and instead relies on an algorithm to pick which articles reach the front page. Is it still accountable for the things published? If the answer is yes, what if it then allows members of the public to submit articles to the algorithm?
This is bang on, if a company selects which posts get seen and promotes them then they ought to be held to the same standard as print media, whether it’s a person selecting what gets viewed or an algorithm.
Good analogy “attacking American companies over garbage”.
Yes, the polluters should pay.
The toxic sludge created by US Tech should be fined like any other ‘externality’ — like oil spills, chemical leaks, poisoning rivers.
Yes, the polluters should pay.
The toxic sludge created by US Tech should be fined like any other ‘externality’ — like oil spills, chemical leaks, poisoning rivers.
December 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This is bang on, if a company selects which posts get seen and promotes them then they ought to be held to the same standard as print media, whether it’s a person selecting what gets viewed or an algorithm.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
The Express is furious about this because the moment you show those who repeat anti-immigration rhetoric the real human stories their narrative collapses.
The “immigrants” are people. Our friends, colleagues and family.
And it’s this nation of neighbours that is what makes Britain great.
The “immigrants” are people. Our friends, colleagues and family.
And it’s this nation of neighbours that is what makes Britain great.
December 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The Express is furious about this because the moment you show those who repeat anti-immigration rhetoric the real human stories their narrative collapses.
The “immigrants” are people. Our friends, colleagues and family.
And it’s this nation of neighbours that is what makes Britain great.
The “immigrants” are people. Our friends, colleagues and family.
And it’s this nation of neighbours that is what makes Britain great.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
Absolutely insane to me that GB News retains its broadcasting license. It's BNP TV.
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 4, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Absolutely insane to me that GB News retains its broadcasting license. It's BNP TV.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
4 years ago we delivered free bus travel for under 22s.
Now we want to expand it to everyone under 30 - improving mobility, lowering congestion and pollution, and leaving more money in people's pockets.
Reducing the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet.
Now we want to expand it to everyone under 30 - improving mobility, lowering congestion and pollution, and leaving more money in people's pockets.
Reducing the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet.
Free bus travel for everyone under 30 is top Budget demand for Scottish Greens
John Swinney's SNP Government will announce its Budget next month.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:39 PM
4 years ago we delivered free bus travel for under 22s.
Now we want to expand it to everyone under 30 - improving mobility, lowering congestion and pollution, and leaving more money in people's pockets.
Reducing the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet.
Now we want to expand it to everyone under 30 - improving mobility, lowering congestion and pollution, and leaving more money in people's pockets.
Reducing the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet.
Fantastic to see an economics reporter accurately reporting economics… #MMT
Isn't it refreshing when someone actually does nuance and detail?
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
November 29, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Fantastic to see an economics reporter accurately reporting economics… #MMT
We need to rethink how we build in this country - having worked alongside ecologists in the construction industry, all of the incentives are to not find rare species.
We need to find a way of building and developing that encourages biodiversity, rather than destroying it.
We need to find a way of building and developing that encourages biodiversity, rather than destroying it.
Living alongside nature: humans must get better at it
The first of two articles inspired by COP30 explores some problems and the need to seek inclusive and nature-aligned solutions.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:43 AM
We need to rethink how we build in this country - having worked alongside ecologists in the construction industry, all of the incentives are to not find rare species.
We need to find a way of building and developing that encourages biodiversity, rather than destroying it.
We need to find a way of building and developing that encourages biodiversity, rather than destroying it.
Utterly unsurprising, every day we grow closer to a US style system where money can buy anything, and democracy means less and less. It’s time for radical change.
‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims
‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims
Equality Trust study shows how House of Lords appointments, big donations and media concentration affects political decision
Structural corruption and the rise of “conduits for unelected power” are reshaping British politics, according to a stark report from the Equality Trust.
Unelected influence has surged over the past two decades, the report claims, driven by the growing political clout of the ultra-rich and the institutions that enable it. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Utterly unsurprising, every day we grow closer to a US style system where money can buy anything, and democracy means less and less. It’s time for radical change.
“Minor tweaks to taxation and spending, or cuts to corporate regulation and ministerial budgets, aren’t going to un-break Britain.”
More essential reading from the brilliant @graceblakeley.substack.com
More essential reading from the brilliant @graceblakeley.substack.com
Rachel Reeves is living on another planet
A country in crisis and a government in denial.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
“Minor tweaks to taxation and spending, or cuts to corporate regulation and ministerial budgets, aren’t going to un-break Britain.”
More essential reading from the brilliant @graceblakeley.substack.com
More essential reading from the brilliant @graceblakeley.substack.com
Openness and transparency is the key to a functioning democracy.
Please sign & share.
Please sign & share.
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Openness and transparency is the key to a functioning democracy.
Please sign & share.
Please sign & share.
Zack telling it like it is… Looks like more minor technocratic fiddling in this budget, when we are in dire need of systematic change.
The very first thing the Prime Minister does is use the household budget metaphor.
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Zack telling it like it is… Looks like more minor technocratic fiddling in this budget, when we are in dire need of systematic change.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Would have been very interesting to see what came out about this at trial. Surely it is time for an inquiry into Russian interference in UK democracy…
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes
The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Would have been very interesting to see what came out about this at trial. Surely it is time for an inquiry into Russian interference in UK democracy…
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
“Paul Samuelson famously said that when a man marries his maid he reduces GDP. So let’s do the reverse.”
Entertaining and accurate piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social :
Entertaining and accurate piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social :
Increasing economic growth: some modest proposals
Commodify, enshittify, skillify.
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“Paul Samuelson famously said that when a man marries his maid he reduces GDP. So let’s do the reverse.”
Entertaining and accurate piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social :
Entertaining and accurate piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social :
“Among the reasons cited by analysts for the Social Democrats’ decline in Copenhagen were voter fatigue over the prime minister’s hardline policies on issues such as integration and immigration”
Someone in no10 needs to get this message. Pandering to the far right doesn’t work.
Someone in no10 needs to get this message. Pandering to the far right doesn’t work.
Social Democrats in Denmark suffer sweeping election losses
PM Mette Frederiksen’s centre-left party loses control of Copenhagen for first time in more than 100 years
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“Among the reasons cited by analysts for the Social Democrats’ decline in Copenhagen were voter fatigue over the prime minister’s hardline policies on issues such as integration and immigration”
Someone in no10 needs to get this message. Pandering to the far right doesn’t work.
Someone in no10 needs to get this message. Pandering to the far right doesn’t work.
“It’s strange for western audiences to hear about China’s problems of deflation and overproduction – because they’re almost the exact opposites of the problems our economies seem to be facing.”
Fascinating reading from @graceblakeley.substack.com - interesting parallels comparing east to west.
Fascinating reading from @graceblakeley.substack.com - interesting parallels comparing east to west.
Power or prosperity?
China's dilemma in an age of overproduction.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
“It’s strange for western audiences to hear about China’s problems of deflation and overproduction – because they’re almost the exact opposites of the problems our economies seem to be facing.”
Fascinating reading from @graceblakeley.substack.com - interesting parallels comparing east to west.
Fascinating reading from @graceblakeley.substack.com - interesting parallels comparing east to west.
Nail on the head here from @robinlustig.bsky.social - this policy will only intensify an already toxic debate, without helping in any meaningful way.
Cruel, immoral, inhumane ...
For the Labour party to pander to racism instead of confronting it is a disgrace.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Nail on the head here from @robinlustig.bsky.social - this policy will only intensify an already toxic debate, without helping in any meaningful way.
Reposted by Ollie Crookwood
A little bit of context always helps. When it's omitted you know someone has an agenda.
November 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A little bit of context always helps. When it's omitted you know someone has an agenda.
Outrageous news from my home town - freeholds are outdated and in dire need of reform. This behaviour ought to be illegal.
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Outrageous news from my home town - freeholds are outdated and in dire need of reform. This behaviour ought to be illegal.
As someone who has managed a waste water treatment system - yes. The fibres will not break down quickly enough, even if they do biodegrade over time, and it will cause issues.
At the very least there needs to be a ban on “flushable” labelling.
At the very least there needs to be a ban on “flushable” labelling.
Finally a ban on plastic wet wipes...
But will the non plastic wet wipes still cause sewage fatberg blockages?
Via BBC News
But will the non plastic wet wipes still cause sewage fatberg blockages?
Via BBC News
So long, plastic wet wipes - but should we be flushing the new ones?
Water companies say wet wipes containing plastic are one of the main causes of blockages in their pipes.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
As someone who has managed a waste water treatment system - yes. The fibres will not break down quickly enough, even if they do biodegrade over time, and it will cause issues.
At the very least there needs to be a ban on “flushable” labelling.
At the very least there needs to be a ban on “flushable” labelling.
“We are scapegoating asylum seekers for the failures and political divisions caused by successive governments in the last 15 years – the failures of successive governments to address wealth inequality, funding for education, the cost of living and primary healthcare and infrastructure.”
Labour seems to think this further lurch to the right is a political masterstroke. On the contrary, it confirms their moral and political bankruptcy.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Anglican bishop shaken ‘to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments
Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being ‘scapegoated’ for years of policy failures
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:17 AM
“We are scapegoating asylum seekers for the failures and political divisions caused by successive governments in the last 15 years – the failures of successive governments to address wealth inequality, funding for education, the cost of living and primary healthcare and infrastructure.”
The fact that Nigel Farage is presenting Reform as a realistic party of governance is laughable, and the fact that the Daily Mail/Sun etc are cheering him on is insane.
1 in 18 Reform councillors suspended, expelled, or resigned since May
1 in 18 Reform councillors suspended, expelled, or resigned since May
Read the full rundown here
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The fact that Nigel Farage is presenting Reform as a realistic party of governance is laughable, and the fact that the Daily Mail/Sun etc are cheering him on is insane.