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
The media and all pundits will have us believe that the general election on June 8 is all over bar the shouting, that Corbyn will receive a hammering and that the Tories will win a massive parliamentary majority. But that’s not necessary the scenario working people have in mind.
May’s decision to call a snap general election stems not from her strength but from her weakness. Her only claim to popular support is her explicit acceptance of the result of the EU referendum — although she actually sided with Remain during the referendum campaign — her success in invoking Article 50 to start the process of leaving the EU and her understanding that leaving the EU means leaving the single market and the customs union.
Although Labour did not vote against invoking Article 50, several Labour MPs and many Labour peers attempted to frustrate the process of leaving the EU which provided the Tory Party the opportunity to present themselves as the only Westminster party that truly respects the verdict of the referendum. As far as the public is concerned, May is firmly associated with beginning the process of leaving the EU.
The biggest strike in global history is a template for our future. The silence tells you all you need to know, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE
From summit to summit, imperialist companies and governments cut, delay or water down their commitments, warn the Communist Parties of Britain, France, Portugal and Spain and the Workers Party of Belgium in a joint statement on Cop30
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT


