With a new exhibition of his work at the National Gallery in London, a visit to the artist’s home town reveals the landscapes and industry that inspired him

I’ve experienced more racism in the past year than the rest of my life put together – the only answer is for young people to stand up to the far right, says writer Rohan Sathyamoorthy

The rapid spread of these banners is unsettling – and shows how the hard right is reaching people and places the left cannot, says Guardian columnist John Harris

Most people do not know soldiers from countries like Jamaica and Kenya, and Muslims, fought alongside British troops The British public is largely unaware of the contribution made by soldiers from Commonwealth countries such as Jamaica and Kenya to the second world war, research has found, as campaigners say greater recognition of the diversity of those who fought against fascism will strengthen national unity. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May, a FocalData poll for the thinktank British Future, which works to highlight integration, found “there is a strong public appetite” for greater awareness and teaching in schools of the diversity of the war effort – but a lack of knowledge about the contribution of Black and Asian personnel. Continue reading...

Our street party tea was a muted celebration, full of uncertainty. Then, as now, we faced a long struggle towards a better world, says actor and writer Sheila Hancock

Exclusive: Britons found to have ‘lost out’ while rest of Europe benefits from golden age of research and treatments