Latest news with #PaulParker
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Residents' appeal against Lancashire 'super prison' plan fails
A high court judge has refused to allow campaigners to appeal against the development of a "super prison" near their Ulnes Walton Action Group opposed the building of the 1,715-inmate Category C prison in Ulnes Walton, on a site between Chorley and Leyland in their four-year battle to block the project ended with the judge delivering an oral verdict which has yet to be published in said their efforts had ended in "frustration and disappointment". The new jail, which will sit alongside neighbouring jails HMP Garth and HMP Wymott, will mean a combined total of 3,700 prisoners will reside in the area, outnumbering the population of Ulnes of the campaigners, Paul Parker, said: "There was a better alternative which the Ministry of Justice could have chosen alongside an industrial estate in Oldham." He added: "We are naturally disappointed as a group but I'm sure local residents will be devastated over the next few years with the construction traffic followed by operational traffic which everyone agrees is not sufficient."South Ribble MP Paul Foster told Local Democracy Reporting Service he was also disappointed and there remained "a number of substantial issues" in connection with the roads."There are now no further legal challenges permitted and so it is my job – along with the local planning authority – to work closely with the MoJ to ensure the outstanding issues are resolved and we make the best of a bad situation," he Prime Minister and local government secretary Angela Rayner gave the green light to the prison back in move went against the recommendation of a planning inspector, who had chaired two public inquiries into the inspector had concluded local roads would not be able to cope with the volume of construction traffic required to build the jail. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Metro
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Paul Parker argues Man Utd may end up having a better season than Arsenal
Paul Parker has argued that Manchester United may end up having a better season than Arsenal if they manage to win the Europa League. The Red Devils face a trip to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night for the first leg of their semi-final clash, looking to continue their hunt for silverware. Like United, Arsenal only have one chance left of landing a trophy this term, with the Gunners having reached the last four in the Champions League. The Champions League is, of course, more prestigious than the Europa League but Arsenal lost 1-0 at home to PSG in the first leg on Tuesday. Arsenal must now produce a comeback at the Parc des Princes in the second leg to reach the Champions League final – where they'd play either Barcelona or Inter Milan – if the north Londoners turn things around. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Former United right-back Parker has told Metro that his former club would've had a more successful season than Arsenal if the Gunners miss out on the Champions League trophy and United win the Europa League. 'Yeah, it would be (a more successful season for United if that happened),' he said via comparison site of the best online casinos. 'It's making me chuckle, really. Arsenal have been there – flickering at the top – all the PR stunts they've been throwing out there. They've been doing everything to pump themselves up. 'If you're an Arsenal fan, you'd be a bit disappointed really. You want them (the team) to give you something to cheer about, not them telling you to cheer. 'When you look at it, United have been awful this season, but if they were to win it (the Europa League) – there would be no argument. They'd have a bit of silverware. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'At this moment in time, you have to say United have a good chance of winning it (the Europa League). 'I don't think Arsenal can fight back (against PSG) in the Champions League.' United have underperformed in every other competition- particularly in the Premier League – with the club sat 14th in the table with four games left. United failed to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, eliminated by Fulham in the fifth round, although they did triumph over Arsenal in the third round. In this season's Carabao Cup, Ruben Amorim's side were knocked out in the last eight while Arsenal went one round further to the semi-finals. Parker's comments come despite Arsenal being second in the Premier League table, with 28 more points and 12 places above United. Arsenal were involved in a Premier League title race with Liverpool for much of the season before Arne Slot's side ended up running away with it. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Liverpool were crowned champions of England on Sunday with a 5-1 victory over Spurs and have 15 more points that second-placed Arsenal. It means Arsenal's painful wait for the Premier League title goes on, with Mikel Arteta's side finishing as runners-up in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Arsenal have not landed the top-flight trophy since 2004, with United last crowned English champions in 2013. Discounting Community Shields, Arsenal have not won a major trophy since the FA Cup in 2020. United, meanwhile, have won a number of trophies in recent years including the FA Cup in 2024 and Carabao Cup in 2023. Amorim's team will face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League final this term if they manage to progress past Athletic Bilbao. MORE: Man Utd agree deal to sign French wonderkid on free transfer MORE: William Saliba admits Arsenal players found it 'difficult' to stop PSG star MORE: Mikel Merino sends message to PSG ahead of Arsenal's Champions League second leg
Telegraph
31-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The Quakers are no strangers to disruptive Left-wing activism
If you think about Quakers at all, it is probably for wholesome breakfast cereals like Quaker Oats. So it might be a bit of a surprise to see that the police recently raided the Westminster Quaker Meeting House. Why would the authorities be interested in the Religious Society of Friends, a Protestant denomination founded in the 17th century, which is best known for their pacifism, teetotalism, and opposition to slavery? The answer is they were hosting a meeting of Youth Demand, a protest group which is part of a wider umbrella of groups (alongside the now-disbanded Just Stop Oil), which has said they will be launching demonstrations every day this April. The group's two aims are to implement a trade embargo on Israel and to tax the rich £1 trillion by 2030 to pay damages to those impacted by climate change, and they've previously targeted Labour's HQ, the Ministry of Defence, and even the Cenotaph in their protests. In context, the decision to arrest the six members of Youth Demand at the Quaker Meeting House on suspion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance seems eminently reasonable. Some Quakers, however, were very upset. Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, criticised the police for their 'aggressive violation of our place of worship', while Quakers in Britain put out a statement saying they 'support the right to non-violent public protest'. The Quakers have often been criticised for allowing hard-Left or pro-Palestine groups to use their meeting houses. As of 2016 there were 354 such houses in Britain, serving around 23,000 Quakers. Often built in prior centuries, they occupy strategic locations and, especially with the decline in religious Quakerism, sometimes also host community or political events. This network is in part testament to the wealth created by Quaker industrialists. At a time when poor business practice was common, the Quakers built up a trustworthy reputation. Confectioners like Cadbury ensured that their chocolate wasn't cut with cheaper substances. Banks like Barclays were respected for the moral way in which they handled their business. The shoe company Vivobarefoot, which has a strong environmentalist ethic, was co-founded by Galahad Clark, whose Quaker ancestors founded Clarks shoes. In the early 20th century, Quakerism became associated with the political Left, as members promoted social reform in imitation of Christ's good works. Quaker charities like the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust went from promoting sobriety to creating a 'counter-civil service' in the 1960s, which provided a base for groups like Friends of the Earth, to funding Marxist guerillas like FRELIMO in Mozambique. Today many of the charities whose angry press releases can be found in the Left-wing media receive much of their income from Quaker groups, even when said groups have long since repudiated their own founders for failing to live up to modern woke ideals. If the allies of modern Quakerism get their own way and functionally abolish our borders and police services, we will only see the resurrection of the sort of low-trust society where the Quakers' integrity once set them apart. Until then, be wary of those who seek to conflate progressive ideology with religious worship.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Quakers are no strangers to disruptive Left-wing activism
If you think about Quakers at all, it is probably for wholesome breakfast cereals like Quaker Oats. So it might be a bit of a surprise to see that the police recently raided the Westminster Quaker Meeting House. Why would the authorities be interested in the Religious Society of Friends, a Protestant denomination founded in the 17th century, which is best known for their pacifism, teetotalism, and opposition to slavery? The answer is they were hosting a meeting of Youth Demand, a protest group which is part of a wider umbrella of groups (alongside the now-disbanded Just Stop Oil), which has said they will be launching demonstrations every day this April. The group's two aims are to implement a trade embargo on Israel and to tax the rich £1 trillion by 2030 to pay damages to those impacted by climate change, and they've previously targeted Labour's HQ, the Ministry of Defence, and even the Cenotaph in their protests. In context, the decision to arrest the six members of Youth Demand at the Quaker Meeting House on suspion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance seems eminently reasonable. Some Quakers, however, were very upset. Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, criticised the police for their 'aggressive violation of our place of worship', while Quakers in Britain put out a statement saying they 'support the right to non-violent public protest'. The Quakers have often been criticised for allowing hard-Left or pro-Palestine groups to use their meeting houses. As of 2016 there were 354 such houses in Britain, serving around 23,000 Quakers. Often built in prior centuries, they occupy strategic locations and, especially with the decline in religious Quakerism, sometimes also host community or political events. This network is in part testament to the wealth created by Quaker industrialists. At a time when poor business practice was common, the Quakers built up a trustworthy reputation. Confectioners like Cadbury ensured that their chocolate wasn't cut with cheaper substances. Banks like Barclays were respected for the moral way in which they handled their business. The shoe company Vivobarefoot, which has a strong environmentalist ethic, was co-founded by Galahad Clark, whose Quaker ancestors founded Clarks shoes. In the early 20th century, Quakerism became associated with the political Left, as members promoted social reform in imitation of Christ's good works. Quaker charities like the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust went from promoting sobriety to creating a 'counter-civil service' in the 1960s, which provided a base for groups like Friends of the Earth, to funding Marxist guerillas like FRELIMO in Mozambique. Today many of the charities whose angry press releases can be found in the Left-wing media receive much of their income from Quaker groups, even when said groups have long since repudiated their own founders for failing to live up to modern woke ideals. If the allies of modern Quakerism get their own way and functionally abolish our borders and police services, we will only see the resurrection of the sort of low-trust society where the Quakers' integrity once set them apart. Until then, be wary of those who seek to conflate progressive ideology with religious worship. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New York Times
30-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
London Police Arrest Gaza Protest Planners at Quaker House
Quakers in Britain are reeling from what they say is an unheard-of violation of one of their places of worship by police officers who forced their way into a meeting house in London and arrested activists gathered there to plan Gaza war protests. 'No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory,' Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said in a statement issued after the raid. But on Thursday evening, the pacifist group said, more than 20 uniformed police officers, some armed with tasers, forced their way into the meeting house in Westminster, breaking open the front door 'without warning or ringing the bell.' The officers searched the building and arrested six women at a gathering of Youth Demand, an unaffiliated activist group that was renting a room to meet in, the Quakers in Britain said. The Metropolitan Police said the arrests followed Youth Demand's plans to 'shut down' London with protests next month, according to British media. The police said that while they recognized the right to protest, 'we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality,' British media reported. The arrests raised alarms in England, and came amid a crackdown on Gaza War protesters in the United States, especially on college campuses, where some students have denounced Israel's prosecution of the war against Hamas. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
