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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Guilty and proud of it!
One hundred years ago, a group of East End councillors were proud to go to prison in their fight for social justice. Here PIPPA CATTERALL, chair of the George Lansbury Memorial Trust, explains why and reflects on the significance and legacy of the great Poplar Rates Rebellion
The women councillors on their way to Holloway prison through cheering crowds of supporters
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
THE public now are often deeply cynical about our politicians. One reason Boris Johnson gets away with his toxic combination of lies, callousness and incompetence is because expectations are so low.
Dawn Butlers, willing to be punished for speaking truth to unaccountable power, are rare.
In contrast, 100 years ago this week, a group of Poplar councillors were proud to be imprisoned for their stand against injustice.
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