MP backs England's traditional folk culture

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Mar 2008

Colchester MP Bob Russell has criticised the "elitist snobs" who run Arts Council England "for spending more money on promoting contemporary Latin American art than on England's traditional, working-class folk dance and song."

He made his comments in the House of Commons and called on the Government to ensure that, as part of the commitment to five hours of culture each week for schoolchildren, that English folk dance and song should be included.

Mr Russell also requested Culture Minister Mrs Margaret Hodge to join him in a meeting with the English Folk Dance and Song Society to see how England's folk culture can be promoted.

Responding, the Minister said it was important that politicians should not get involved in determining how the allocation of funding should be distributed between various organisations. She said that she would be happy to meet Mr Russell to discuss English folk dancing.

Afterwards Mr Russell said that his criticism of the Arts Council was directed at their decision to give £5 million to the controversial Visual Arts Facility in Colchester - where contemporary Latin American art will be a major feature - and contribute an annual subsidy of £300,000 towards operating costs, while the governing body of England's traditional folk culture was struggling because of the Arts Council funding decisions.