The symbiotic relationship between those who had a profession based around folk music and those who provided the backbone of folk clubs was and in part still is a joy. Serendipity is the best way to describe it.

Folk is a broad church. (Mosque / temple / synagogue / pub / football ground) and as in any arena, especially where artistry has a place, squabbles can be taken out of context. Clubs are largely singarounds these days, as much to do with those of us who used to run clubs not wanting to get our financial fingers burned as any other reason and "turns" are increasingly having to broaden their appeal on the small theatre / arts centre circuit.

On that note, being political is less popular. I have seen Martin Simpson twice in recent months. Once in a very much folk club venue and once at a theatre. His act was more social comment orientated in the club and more general music in the theatre.

So the point of "politically conservative" for me includes having to reference the person or the persona?