We’ve never really seen this site as politically motivated – frankly I think part of the reason we turn to the banks is to avoid thinking about duck islands, dung and claiming expenses for strop movies. However, as most of us are of the generation where The Clash playing Rock Against Racism was a life defining where d’you stand? moment, when we received an email from CBTR contributor Frank Cottrell-Boyce about the importance of casting a vote in the upcoming June European Parliamentary elections, we thought we’d pass it on.
Jeff
I wonder if your website would like to jump on a temporary political bandwagon? In the Northwest the maths says that a small party will win a seat in the European elections and obviously we’re all worried that that’ll be the BNP. A bunch of us is therefore campaigning for the greens as a way of keeping the fascist out. Here’s a link. Let me know if you think you can get a bit involved.
Much love, Frank
In keeping, the lyrics below are from a 1968 record by the late, very great Laurel Aitken in reaction to Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers Of Blood’ speech – spotted by/heartfelt thanks to Kevin Pearce and Yr Heart Out.
They’re making this big confusion
’bout repatriation
Mr Powell he is afraid
That black man will take him to his grave
We don’t want no hostility
We’re just begging him for equality
Run Powell run
Run Powell run, run
Black man a come
You mouth talk
With such a might
You only making black man unite
You been ruling three hundred years
And we’ve been living in hope and fear
We don’t want no hostility
We’re just begging you for equality
Run Powell, run, run
Black man a come
Run Powell, run, run
Every man have a right
Whether you green, black or you white
No matter what you say or do
You think of it, we are human too
We don’t want no hostility
We’re just begging you for equality
Run Powell run
Till you tumble down
Run Powell run, run, run
Black man a come
It’s a damn blasted shame
Mr Heath join the campaign
You can have your fun
But I know freedom day will come
And we will buy you a drink a’ rum
And then we will sing ‘We Shall Overcome’
Run Powell run
Black man a come
Run Powell run, run
Till you tumble down
Run Powell run
Black man a come
(Laurel Aitken, 1968, recorded in the UK)