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Paul Parker

@rcquaker.bsky.social
361 followers 186 following 95 posts

Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
So many books about what's wrong with government. This one's authoritative - @carolineslocock.bsky.social was there on the inside, saw what worked, saw what didn't, and offers a clear and rational recipe for what's needed now. A great read. www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Governme...
amazon.co.uk
Bad Government (And How To Make It Better): Amazon.co.uk: Caroline Slocock: 9781837360505: Books
Buy Bad Government (And How To Make It Better) by Caroline Slocock (ISBN: 9781837360505) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
This excellent piece on the importance of civil society campaigning speaks my mind: www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/craig...
civilsociety.co.uk
Craig Jones: Ministers should embrace the campaigning culture of the voluntary sector
The former CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society reflects on a former minister’s resistance to the charity’s campaigning and how the new administration should engage with the sector…
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Stuart Masters @stuartkmasters.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
We have a Swarthmore Lecture book which will become available to buy from the Quaker Centre Book Shop, immediately after the lecture next Saturday evening (it is NOT available to pre-order).
The image shows a small group of the book 'Tangled Roots: Navigating the Complex Legacy of Early Quakers' (a dark green cover with a picture of tangled roots).

This Swarthmore Lecture book will become available to buy from the Quaker Centre Book Shop, immediately after the lecture next Saturday evening (it is NOT available to pre-order).
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 23/04/2026
"Any of us can be protestors and we are all members of communities" @rcquaker.bsky.social gave evidence at the Joint Committee on Human Rights' inquiry on the expansion of police powers and the impact on the right to protest.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 24/04/2026
"We tolerate disruption from all sorts of other causes without worrying about it as much as we do from protest." @rcquaker.bsky.social gave evidence at the Joint Committee on Human Rights' inquiry on the expansion of police powers and the impact on the right to protest.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 17/04/2026
Earlier this week @rcquaker.bsky.social gave testimony to the Joint Committee on Human Rights' inquiry into protest rights. Watch the recording here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
parliamentlive.tv
Parliamentlive.tv
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
On a train full of bishops, heading for Canterbury.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Moving service at Methodist Central Hall Westminster to mark the 80th anniversary of the very first sessions of the UN General Assembly in this room in 1946. In my lifetime it has rarely been so important to assert the significance of the UN and what it stands for.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Roll up! Roll up!
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Here's what the American Friends Service Committee has to say about the US intervention in Venezuela.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Statement from our colleagues at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. @quaker.org.uk
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 02/01/2026
We've joined other NGOs in calling on the Israeli government to immediately halt its deregistration process. Otherwise it risks halting international NGO operations at a time when civilians face acute and widespread humanitarian need. ow.ly/cM3b50XR89a
ow.ly
53 International NGOs warn Israel’s recent registration measures will impede critical humanitarian action
MAP News. The latest developments in the Middle East as well as eye witness accounts and expert analysis from MAP's staff.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
As the sun rose this morning I was interviewed on the Sunday programme (with @dumbledad.bsky.social from Nontheist Friends Network) about Quakers, God, belief & proposed changes to Quaker marriage declarations. Not easy to cover all that in 6 mins! Starts 26 mins in. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Sunday - 14/12/2025 - BBC Sounds
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with William Crawley.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Representing @quaker.org.uk at the National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crisis in a packed Methodist Central Hall. Impressive list of speakers but suspect we're in for quite a challenging morning. I'll keep you posted.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Representing @quaker.org.uk at Lambeth Palace to hear archbishops of York & Jerusalem, & Munther Isaac, Ramallah pastor. @archbishopofyork.org outspoken about genocide, ethnic cleansing & his experience of apartheid conditions on his recent trip to West Bank. www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
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Jill Segger @quakerpen.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Thank you to everyone who stopped to engage with Bury St Edmunds Quakers (despite Storm Amy) at the information table outside the Meeting House on Saturday. #QuakerWeek #LoveYourNeighbour Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
There is no need for further restrictions to protest based on the concept of cumulative disruption. Repeated protests can be evidence of strength of feeling towards an ongoing injustice and are an important democratic mechanism for citizens to have their voices heard. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Police to get broader powers to crack down on repeated protests
The move is not a ban on protests but
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 02/10/2025
Violence is never right. Killing is never right. Targeting people because of who they are is never right. We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.
quaker.org.uk
Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in t...
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 02/10/2025
Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur. We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
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Simple. Radical. Spiritual. @quakers.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
“For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable," said Paul Parker, @rcquaker.bsky.social for Quakers in Britain. “Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack." www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quakers denied intervention in court challenge over faith rights in terror law case
Quakers in Britain has been refused permission to give evidence in a landmark legal challenge to the UK government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 08/09/2025
We have applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined our freedom of religion. Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.
quaker.org.uk
Quakers apply to intervene in Judicial Review of the proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain has applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined their freedom of religion.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 28/08/2025
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates. Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious. www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion
On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 27/08/2025
We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace. www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment
One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. As our book of tea...
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Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) @quakerunoffice.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
#INC5 in Geneva has concluded without an agreement on a #plastics treaty, despite an intensive 2 weeks of dialogue. QUNO's Sustainable & Just Economic Systems (SJES) Programme provides an overview, and thoughts on a way forward, here: quno.org/timeline/202...
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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
The facts speak for themselves. Police arrest 474 at Palestine Action ban protest, including a 89 year old woman. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Palestine Action protesters arrested by police at London demo
The Metropolitan Police said the number of arrests was the largest made by the force on a single day in the last decade.
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Friends of Friendless Churches @friendlesschurches.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
An experience of temporary blindness and the shame of his own profane language are said to have prompted Cuthbert Wigham, the founder of Coanwood Meeting House, to convert to Quakerism. 1/8
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Plenty of Quakers in the ecumenical crowd outside the gates of Faslane naval base to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. @quaker.org.uk
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
With nukes in the news it's grimly fitting to be at Faslane to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and say 'never again'. @quaker.org.uk
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Quakers discern that genocide is occurring in Gaza. Urgent global statement from the Quaker service agencies:
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katieghose.bsky.social @katieghose.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
‘Agents of change’, equal partners’ and call for transformational ideas from every corner of civil society, What a stimulating day at yesterday’s civil society covenant launch thanks @pbe.co.uk @lbfew.bsky.social @ncvoyr.bsky.social @acevo.bsky.social and all involved @kidscharity.bsky.social
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Ben Wood @cosmichope.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
And yet where is the government's repeal of the recent anti-protest laws? Where is the review of Blair era anti-terror laws? Where's the commitment to roll-back the plethora of public order acts? Whoever is in government, the Home Office is always in power. share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...
share.google
Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement
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Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
A welcome step in the right direction: civil society must be able to challenge government safely. But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest. Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Ministers to enshrine UK charities’ right to peaceful protest in new ‘covenant’
Agreement between government and voluntary sector aims to reset relations after erosion of trust under Tories
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Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) @quakerunoffice.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
In advance of #COP30 later this year, QUNO took part in the UN #ClimateChange Forum in Bonn, which included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement. Read more to see what QUNO shared, and what we heard from others: quno.org/timeline/202...
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Nice coverage of the #CivilSocietyCovenant from @civilsociety.bsky.social - thanks for highlighting the right to peaceful protest. Lots to do to make this commitment real! www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/governm...
civilsociety.co.uk
Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement
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Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Charity sector leaders including the CEOs of @acevo.bsky.social, @pbe.co.uk and @cfgsocial.bsky.social have welcomed the launch of the Civil Society Covenant as a positive step forward, but warned that its commitments “mustn’t stall at warm words” and must be matched by action
civilsociety.co.uk
Covenant welcomed by charity leaders who warn it ‘mustn’t stall at warm words’
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The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
The Social Insights Panel led by FGF Policy Associate @pollyneate.bsky.social (backed by the Henry Smith Foundation) will influence & support the government’s work to address “wicked” challenges starting with a focus on the Test, Learn & Grow programme ⬇️ futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
futuregovforum.substack.com
Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate
(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
So, the #CivilSocietyCovenant has been published today, and I've spent the day listening to an array of government ministers talking about how important it is, and how this is a real reset in the relationship between government and civil society organisations. Here are my thoughts on it so far:
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
At the Science Museum to hear the Prime Minister and Lisa Nandy launch the new #CivilSocietyCovenant. So far they've said all the things they *had* to say, and some things they didn't have to. Positive start.
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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 24/06/2025
We have deep concerns about government plans to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change. www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quakers speak out against proposed terrorist proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain have voiced deep concerns about the government’s plan to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Great job with an exceptional organisation. Please help to spread the word about this opportunity. quno.org/timeline/202...
quno.org
Job opportunity: Director, QUNO Geneva | QUNO
The Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva is looking for its next leader. If this could be you, please read the job pack and consider applying. You must be a member of the Religious Society of Friend...
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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
It’s largely forgotten the suffragettes made bombs and committed arson, including trying to bomb the PM’s house, and even threatened to kidnap Ministers. I don’t approve of Palestine Action’s action, they should face criminal charges - but should they be proscribed?
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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Quakers write to Home Sec about about concerns re proscribing Palestine Action and its impact on democracy. A reminder that Civicus has already downgraded the UK to the same level as Hungary on civic freedoms because of restrictions to protest @quaker.org.uk: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quakers speak out against proposed terrorist proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain have voiced deep concerns about the government’s plan to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000.
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Simple. Radical. Spiritual. @quakers.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Violence is never the answer; it perpetuates cycles of harm rather than fostering peace. We must wage peace with the same strength as the warmongers.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
At Church House to mark 80 years of @christianaiduk.bsky.social, the churches' agency to respond at scale to global injustice and need. Impressive work, and sadly ever more necessary.
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Thee Quaker @theequaker.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
A few months ago, twenty police officers smashed down the door of Westminster Quaker meetinghouse and arrested a handful of young activists as they sat eating hummus and breadsticks. quakerpodcast.com/when-police-...
quakerpodcast.com
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
"Partnership isn’t about harmony – it’s about staying in relationship when it gets uncomfortable." Couldn't have put it better myself! Sarah Hughes @mind.org.uk describes what she wants to see in the #CivilSocietyCovenant.
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Nick @nckbw.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
So excited for tomorrow! Food, nature, beautiful readings, Quakers… it’s going to be great. All welcome, please join us or spread the word. 💚 #Quakers
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Really good article about what we all need from the #CivilSocietyCovenant when it's published, including a bit from me at @quaker.org.uk (the other bits are really good too!). Lots of agreement here that we need a full reset of the relationship between civil society and government.
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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Sensible asks from @janeideceo.bsky.social @acevo.bsky.social & NCVO as we await the Civil Society Covenant. We @quaker.org.uk hope for more: a full frank partnership between govt & charities + accountability built in so they can't backslide when it's tricky. www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/covenan...
civilsociety.co.uk
Covenant urged to address ‘breakdown in trust’ between charities and government
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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Remember that police raid on a Friends House meeting room to arrest a group of women eating hummus? @rcquaker.bsky.social @quaker.org.uk says the govt should commit to civil society’s right to dissent and reverse laws reducing key democratic freedoms. I agree www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/paul-...
civilsociety.co.uk
Paul Parker: The government must now commit to civil society’s right to dissent
In the wake of a police raid on a Quaker meeting house and a court ruling against anti-protest laws, Paul Parker calls for a change in attitude towards criticism from the sector…
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