There is already a mighty movement against elitism in folk. It is called the folk club. Runs every night in most places in the UK and has hundreds of thousands of supporters. Some have been called better than others but I think that, in principle, they are all pretty much the same. They will let most people do most things and anyone who believes that folk music is in any way elitist ought to get to more live music clubs.

If we are talking about show cases though, such as national radio and TV presentations than I am afraid that not everyone gets on. First reason - There is no time. Second, and main, reason is that they are accountable. Either to the public, in the case of the BBC, or, in the case of commercial media, their sponsors. Thay can, and should, only put on what is either good, popular or, hopefuly, both. If that is elitism then I am afraid that I am all for it!

A public vote would not change anything in this instance. The people interested in this type of music will only vote for what is either good, popular or, hopefuly, both. The results will be exactly the same as before exept people will be whigning about how other people voted instead of how the judges decided.

Unless we make everything like the X-Factor of course. In which case we will get just what we deserve...

Cheers

DeG