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
DESCRIPTIONS of mindless violence and criminal thuggery give the impression that the riots have come out of nowhere or are the sole outcome of fascist agitation.
There can be no doubt that a loose set of neofascist actors either by physical organisation on the ground or via online encouragement through popular apps like Telegram have played a significant role.
The attempt to set fire to a hotel housing asylum-seekers in Rotherham which was still occupied at the time of the attack could be viewed as arson with intent to endanger life.
KEVIN COURTNEY of Stand Up to Racism and JOHN PAGE of the Ella Baker School of Organising announce a joint project aiming to unite trade unions and social movements in creating new narratives to fight the divisive rhetoric of the far right
All the areas that cause working people to feel insecure have to be addressed, through a return to unashamedly pro-worker politics, if the horror of a Farage government is to be avoided, writes IAN LAVERY MP


