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
MICHAEL GOVE is in charge of “no deal” preparations — what does that tell us?
Boris Johnson has made Gove the “chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster” — a kind of spare Cabinet minister position — which, because this is Britain, has a stupid knights-of-olde name — and made him responsible for preparing for a possible crash-out from the European Union.
Gove has a seat on the six-man (and it is all male) committee of senior ministers in charge of “exit strategy.”
It is rather strange that Labour continues to give prestigious roles to inappropriate, controversy-mired businessmen who are also major Tory donors. What could Labour possibly be hoping to get out of it, asks SOLOMON HUGHES
With 12,000 fewer teachers since 2010 and dwindling resources, Scotland’s schools desperately need investment to support diverse learners rather than empty promises from politicians, writes ANDREA BRADLEY
Holding office in local government is a poisoned chalice for a party that bases its electoral appeal around issues where it has no power whatsoever, argues NICK WRIGHT


