http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25075/sharkey-criticises-governments-decision-on

On 21 July, 17:43, "Roger Gall"  wrote:
> http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25075/sharkey-criticises...

Perhaps it is now time to stop kicking against the New Labour
Government on this issue and remember that there is a General Election
coming up next year. New Labour is almost certain to lose it (unless
the Conservatives realise that they would just be winning a seriously
poisoned chalice and successfully contrive to lose it themselves).

So which of the other parties are saying that they will repeal this
stupid law - or enact the amendment - as a matter of priority? I
assume the Lib-Dems would, but what of the Tories, Greens etc? I
suspect it would be a 30 second job requiring little or no debate. It
would only be the Its-Good-To-Have-A-Police-State-Really brigade that
would vote against it.

If hundreds of thousands of musicians - especially all those that do
floor-spots in clubs and open mic evenings - start saying explicitly
to sitting Labour MPs "you won't get my vote because of this licencing
act" and to every prospective candidate "you WILL get my vote if you
support repeal/amendment" that would be a very positive thing to do.

We could start `The Floorspot Rebellion'

Martin wrote:

> We could start `The Floorspot Rebellion'

What`s the difference between a folk singer and a guvmint minister?

Tho they might both sing  la la la,  a folk singer only has a finger in 
one ear

On 22 July, 12:20, Martin  wrote:
> On 21 July, 17:43, "Roger Gall"  wrote:
>
> >http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25075/sharkey-criticises...
>
> Perhaps it is now time to stop kicking against the New Labour
> Government on this issue and remember that there is a General Election
> coming up next year. New Labour is almost certain to lose it (unless
> the Conservatives realise that they would just be winning a seriously
> poisoned chalice and successfully contrive to lose it themselves).
>
> So which of the other parties are saying that they will repeal this
> stupid law - or enact the amendment - as a matter of priority? I
> assume the Lib-Dems would, but what of the Tories, Greens etc? I
> suspect it would be a 30 second job requiring little or no debate. It
> would only be the Its-Good-To-Have-A-Police-State-Really brigade that
> would vote against it.
>
> If hundreds of thousands of musicians - especially all those that do
> floor-spots in clubs and open mic evenings - start saying explicitly
> to sitting Labour MPs "you won't get my vote because of this licencing
> act" and to every prospective candidate "you WILL get my vote if you
> support repeal/amendment" that would be a very positive thing to do.
>
> We could start `The Floorspot Rebellion'

Remember the folk singer whose guitar was trashed by Untied Airlines?

He wrote a song about it which went viral on YouTube and reportedly
affected UA's share price.

The previous petition about the crazy legislation against English folk
performing live music, song &/or dance  reached 80,000 sigs; which the
Government in its usual arrogance ignored.

Now there is another petition which will hopefully exceed that no.

However there must surely be someone, a duo (two in a bar?), or a
group, whatever, in that 80,000 who could write a song with a catchy
tune or even a 'Les Barker-type' parody about the Govt making folk
singing, music, dancing, etc., illegal in England.

If uploaded to enough video clip websites it could go viral like the
Untied Airlines one did, whilst at the same time drawing atention to
the new petition.

Just an idea - Chris B.

On 30 July, 21:53, CJB  wrote:
> On 22 July, 12:20, Martin  wrote:
>

> However there must surely be someone, a duo (two in a bar?), or a
> group, whatever, in that 80,000 who could write a song with a catchy
> tune or even a 'Les Barker-type' parody about the Govt making folk
> singing, music, dancing, etc., illegal in England.

An interesting challenge. How about:

Hangman hangman stay your hand, stay it for a while
I think I see [name] crossing yonder stile

[name] [name] have you come to hear me play and sing
or have you come to send me down and on the gallows swing?

No I have not come along to hear you play and sing
But I have come to send you down and on the gallows swing

I am a man who likes to sing and loves to play guitar
And rarely do I frighten folks when I play in a bar
But law makes me illegal for the singing of a song
If I was football on TV they'd cheer me loud and long.

(it should just about fit the tune - though getting the names to fit
might require considerable `engineering'. It should really be recorded
by a band in a bar)

Martin Banks