Billy Bragg- Hero of the Left

Music and politics, especially politics of the left, are two things that always go hand in hand and Billy Bragg is one musician who epitomises this more than most.

Bragg, a folk singer with a  social conscience like no other, has been playing his unique brand of music and inspiring fans for over 20 years now.

The hope for a better more equal world stills burns strong and Bragg now has a new target in his sights.

The bankers, at 84% government owned, Royal Bank of Scotland are feeling Bragg’s wrath as he threatens to withhold his taxes in protest at the large bonuses they have planned.

Bragg said: “We have a short window of opportunity between now and 31 January, but the two main political parties don’t seem to be interested.

“This is a frustration borne out of a sense of powerlessness in the face of the bonus culture. I don’t know what else to do.”

Whether this protest has any bearing the government’s decison to place a limit on bonuses remains to be seen but you have to respect a man who is prepared not only to have such convictions but act on them.

Check out his classic song A New England and also Bragg himself talking about the bankers.