Billy Bragg urges the step up to "Take Power"
A video-podcast with Billy Bragg is to be published this weekend as part of the Taking Power cross-party virtual conference on the state of Britain's democracy.
Part of the video will be played on Sunday morning at a special consultative session of the Liberal Democrat conference delegates, at which Sir Menzies Campbell will also speak about the Taking Power project.
Conference Convenor, Lord (Paul) Tyler, questioned the campaigning singer/songwriter as part of a series of interviews with leading political figures including Michael Meacher MP (Former Labour Minister) and Sir George Young MP (Former Conservative Secretary of State).
As well as hosting online interviews, the Conference has opened its virtual "doors" to over 550 delegates. Since the Liberal Democrat leader launched Taking Power at the beginning of the month, hundreds of comments have been left in online debates on party funding, the voting age and the electoral system.
Billy Bragg told Lord Tyler, "I got interested in the problems of our democracy because when I was 19 years old I saw The Clash. They strove to comment on the politics of the day and said 'your contribution is as valid as everyone else's, so step up and have your say'…I've been a founding signature of Charter 88, I believe in a written constitution but more than that I have always felt that an unelected House of Lords is a drag on democracy. I want people to believe that the Second Chamber belongs to them."
Commenting after the interview, Lord Tyler said, "I'm delighted that Billy Bragg has been able to contribute his views to our Conference, in which so many citizens of all parties - and none - are already taking part. Our lively debates continue until October 6th, so there's still time to have your say on how Britain should be run."
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