Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
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Are the lobbyists losing their grip on power?
It appears Labour's shadow cabinet would rather mix with its rank-and-file members than the rich men in suits, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
Special report by PEOPLE’S WORLD
NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
THERE is a good doctorate to be written about the geography of the party conferences, a PhD on the spatial aspects of power. Particularly the physical shape of the conference beyond the conference hall — the evening receptions, the dinners, the panel meetings and fringe events.
The conferences have a slightly medieval plan. The rival king and queen arrive with their caravan, setting up camp in the important cities beyond the capital.
Petitioners from all the estates arrive to offer tribute or ask for favour. The barons get to approach the throne first, the peasants later.
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