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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Spreadsheet Phil, insulated by his millions
SOLOMON HUGHES is convinced that Philip Hammond has no idea what life is like for Britain’s working people
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 Tories seem to enjoy Chancellor Philip Hammond having the nickname “Spreadsheet Phil.” It gives the impression that Hammond is accurate, good with detail and boring, but in a solid, reliable way.
However, a closer eye on Hammond reveals the man has more in common with the last French queen Marie Antoinette.
Earlier this month Hammond was telling the 1922 Committee — the group that brings all the backbench Tory MPs together — that the Conservatives needed to do more for the young, or they’d lose votes.
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MATT KERR charts his bike-riding odyssey in aid of the Royal Marsden charity and CWU Humanitarian Aid