"it's about a gratuitously offensive reference on BBC's Pick of the Week Programme,to traditional song and music, from a BBC establishment pundit (gay ex-MP) who has no qualifications to rate traditional song and music." - Kitty

No it most certainly is not it is about someone voicing his opinion. The fact that throughout his earlier years he was very well travelled may, or may not, have broadened his out look on quite a range of matters could indicate a sound basis for his remarks.

Here is someone else voicing their opinion on the subject:

"Yes it was Kevin Mitchell singing in that clip. He is one of the very best exponents of traditional song going. I reckon that Matthew Paris' education was very deficient indeed if he does not appreciate such wonderful singing." - Mary.

I would like to point to both Kitty and Mary that neither of you has any business telling anybody else what they should and should not "appreciate" - in all things "beauty(value) is eye of the beholder"

"The example he cited as a reason for considering our traditional song to be ghastly was actually a shining example of how wonderful traditional song and music is!" - Kitty

Your opinion Kitty which has just the same worth as anybody else's - even Matthew Parris's.