Billy Bragg backs anti-BNP campaigns

Next month singer Billy Bragg embarks on his “Hope not Hate” tour in support of the three anti-fascist campaigns, Unite Against Fascism, Love Music Hate Racism and Searchlight.

Most of the tour dates are at the end of April and beginning of May to coincide with the main campaigning period up to the local elections on 7 May.

Four national unions are sponsoring the tour — public services union UNISON, technical and professional union Amicus, the GMB general union and the RMT transport union.

GMB acting general secretary Paul Kenny said: “GMB activists will be campaigning on the ground in the areas targeted by the BNP. This “Hope not Hate” tour by Billy Bragg will provide a rallying point in each town for the anti-fascist activists.”

Bragg says that local campaigning in his home town of Barking has begun to turn the tide on the BNP there (see Labour Research January 2006). He added: “It couldn’t have been done without the support of the unions.”

The tour is also supported by the Left Field, set up by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Council to organise part of the Glastonbury music festival, focusing on encouraging political debate and trade union membership.

The tour starts on 23 April in at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. For details of other dates and venues see the advert on the back cover of this issue.