I suspect there's a greater range of political opinions than some on the left would like to believe. It's certainly true that folk song is more likely to be used to express left wing political views rather than those on the right, and those singers who are most overtly political tend to be from the left. However the left's caricature of the Tories as rich toffs ignores the fact that they manage to attract a sizeable number of working-class voters

I don't agree that Peter Bellamy's political views were all that evident from his singing, certainly not compared with the likes of say Dick Gaughan. As for abortion, that is a matter of conscience rather than falling on one side or another of the political divide.

It is certainly true that people espousing left-wing views on the folk scene probably feel they are likely to get a sympathetic reception. I think it is also true that those who don't share those views prefer keep quiet rather than get into arguments over politics when they just want to enjoy the music. The sort of responses this thread has generated indicates why.