On another thread (arguably misplaced above the line), TheSnail wrote:

I will do everything I can (and as I reported above, already have) to keep English nationalism out of English folk music.

I'll sign up to that.

I actually have a certain amount of time for English nationalism, when that's understood as the democratic and inclusive nationalism of a polyglot multi-ethnic nation with a long and glorious history of cultural mongrelisation. Needless to say, this means that I have no time whatsoever for David's reactionary fantasies of racial and cultural purity. But, more importantly, I believe that English folk music deserves to thrive for its own sake: singing, playing and passing along the music of the traditions of these islands is a worthy goal in its own right, as well as being some of the best fun you can have with your clothes on. Yoking the music to any political agenda not only does it a disservice here and now but makes it less likely that it'll survive - all the more so when the agenda in question stinks as badly as David's.

So, let it be said. I will do everything I can to keep English nationalism out of English folk music.