English folk music and the tourist industry IS a significant connection. I do think this is all about taxes, raising revenue, controlling whatever can be controlled that has money attached. We had enough of that over here in 1773 and did our own media event -
quote "On December 16, 1773, Samuel Adams led three groups of fifty men dressed like Mohawk Indians and walked through the streets of Boston. Then someone blew a whistle. The men headed for the harbor and boarded the three ships with hatchets. They broke into 342 chests and threw all the tea overboard. When they finished, they marched back through the city and headed for the Liberty Tree. Other colonists followed and together they sang 'The Liberty Song.'"

I think you need to organize some folk music media events. Otherwise, the problem will be ignored, the public will continue to be clueless.