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
Latest editorial
The Musicians Union picks its next general secretary
Activist BEN LUNN looks at the three contenders to lead Britain’s 30,000-strong Musicians Union
Candidates (from left to right) Stephen Brown, Naomi Pohl and Morris Stemp
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
Naomi Pohl
The current deputy general secretary Naomi Pohl has put her hat in the ring for the leadership of the Musicians Union (MU). This has been met with wide support from across the union, with backing from notable figures like Rab Noakes and the Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire.
Though referred to by some as the “continuity candidate,” Pohl is very firm in her assertion that she will bring a new vision to the union that aims to incorporate the skills and energy of members from the top of the EC down to the grassroots level.
In our discussion, she raised the need for leadership and union activism to go beyond mere committees, saying: “We need to look for ways in which this can be utilised, either through specific campaigns or new initiatives.”
Similar stories
Artists should not be consigned to a life of precarious working – they deserve dignity and proper workers’ rights, argues ZITA HOLBOURNE
Women are a vital part of the labour movement and have much to contribute, but there’s far more to be done to make sure that our sisters’ voices are truly heard, says PHILIPA HARVEY
ANN HENDERSON on the exciting programme planned for this summer’s festival in the Scottish capital