Now the dust has settled I think the event was good publicity for the MPs, the MU, and for Billy Bragg (who did a great job), but not so good for the issue affecting folk activities now.

There was no reason at all why the 8 or so musicians present, who after all are what the MU exists for, could not have played in the bar. Although it was a small bar, it had been hired as a private function by the MU, as the public did not have access, there were no legal restrictions on the number of musicians.

To restrict these good folk to the 'tradesmen's entrance' as an outside after-thought was a bit of an insult and counter-productive. I think that we will just have to organise ourselves, to get the message accross (what about Sidmouth?).

Two of those musicians had personal experience of the over-zealous by councils of unpaid sessions, but were largely ignored and not introduced to the many journalists. When I did manganed to speak to some, they seemed surprised. The information did not seem to be in the MU press pack or in the script for the day.

Too be fair, there was a fear that the event would be swamped with people expecting a Billy Bragg concert, and confusion that it was to be on the basis of the last event there, but that was hardly reason to largely ignore the very musicians the issue is affecting the most, or making the most of their apperance.

Hamish Birchall was there doing his best, but he is not the MU, just an advisor to them on this issue.

It was nice to see everyone but it was also nice to get back home to Dorset. LOL