Quote of the day

"Of the major festivals coming up this summer, such as T in the Park, V, Download, ask yourself how many of them would give space, never mind prominence, to a stage dedicated to promoting leftwing views? Sure, there are other events where the Leftfield could find a home – the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival, the Women Chainmakers festival, the Burston School Strike Rally to name a few – but these are relatively small labour movement gatherings and people would be quick to accuse us of preaching to the converted."

In defending Glastonbury from the charge levelled against it by Richie Hawley, Billy Bragg has a point - the festival is unique in allowing left-wing politics that space. But I wouldn't say this is centre stage, as it once was, and I'm sorry to say that those who can afford to go are less and less likely to take any notice of Bragg and co - many of the unconverted don't want to be preached to, and would much rather be drinking themselves into oblivion at the Pyramid Stage. Bragg doesn't even sound totally convinced by his  arguments himself, to be honest.

Get me, eh? One year of missing out on tickets and already my bitterness is seeping out...