Billy Bragg backs Liberal Democrats as Labour 'take voters for granted'

10 April 2012
WEST END FINAL

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Singer Billy Bragg today pledged his backing the Liberal Democrats as they have the "best manifesto".

The folk-punk rocker said he had supported the party previously in a tactical move "to keep the Tories out".

Calling for "a party to bring people together", the Bard of Barking accused Labour of having taken the white working class electorate for granted.

The 52-year-old said: "This year I think I'll be voting Liberal Democrat because they've got the best manifesto.

"I like what they're saying about proportional representation, I like what they're saying about Europe... if I was a floating voter I'd be floating towards them."

Bragg, who has a long history of fighting for left-wing causes, added: "I think Labour have taken the white working class vote for granted.

"I think the idea of a three party race is more interesting than a two party race."

Bragg was speaking at a press launch for Pressure Drop, a stage drama from writer and theatre director Mick Gordon, with new music and songs written by Bragg.

The performance, described as "part play, part gig, part art installation", prompts the audience to consider groups under pressure in society today.

It shows three generations of a white, working-class English family struggling to define themselves in a changing social landscape.

The show is running at the Wellcome Collection in London until May 12.

Bragg said thousands of people were facing stark choices and called for bankers to be held to account.

He continued: "The pressure that's on the white working class can't really be solved by a party like the British National Party who are a divisive party.

"We need a party to bring people together. We need old-style democratic socialism that builds houses and finds people jobs and we haven't had that in this country for the last 15 years."

Asked for his thoughts on the General Election, Bragg replied cryptically: "I think it's like a big wobbly sausage and a really strange pair of trousers and the sausage sticking out of the front of the trousers.

"And people saying: 'I don't know, is that a sausage sticking out of those trousers or is it a k ?"'

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