Billy Bragg has accused the Times of twisting his words in a report claiming the leftwing musician thought Jeremy Corbyn was unable to reach enough of the electorate to become an effective political force.
In response to a Times article published on Tuesday, Bragg said on Twitter that he had “joined the long list of people stitched up by the Murdoch papers”.
The Times was reporting on comments made by Bragg at the Edinburgh Book Festival where he was performing on Monday evening.
The article began by saying that Bragg had described Corbyn, who he has publicly supported, as “a ‘20th Century Labour man’ unable to reach the electorate”, before describing him as “previously loyal” to the Labour leader.
It then goes on to include a direct quote in which Bragg says the party needs to be “reaching out to people” and “working with everybody” because “ you can see what happens with a political party that becomes tribalist”.
The quote continues: “We can’t afford to go down that route if we are to retain the ability to represent ordinary working people.”
The article also later paraphrases Bragg as “saying that Corbyn was unable to reach parts of the electorate needed to build an effective political force”.
Bragg said on Twitter that his comments had been misrepresented and he still backed Corbyn.
“Don’t believe the b/s about me in the Times,” he wrote, “I’m still supporting Corbyn, just want more talk about devo for England & fair votes for all.”
He then urged his followers to “stay calm” about the “Times twisting my words to attack Corbyn, adding, “don’t let Murdoch sow discord”.
A recording of the on-stage appearance, listened to by the Guardian, reveals that Bragg was broadly supportive of a move to the left by Labour, and that he believes the party would still have difficulty reaching some parts of the electorate under another leader who moved further to the right.
In a line omitted from the Times story, he said: “It’s a challenge. Labour has fires to fight on different fronts. This would be happening even without Corbyn if any of the other candidates had won last year, these problems would still be there.”
Don't believe the b/s about me in the Times. I'm still supporting Corbyn, just want more talk about devo for England & fair votes for all
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 16, 2016
.@Jack_Slater Rubbish. I've joined the long list of people stitched up by the Murdoch papers.
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 16, 2016
Can everyone please stay calm about the Times twisting my words to attack Corbyn. I remain a JC supporter. Don't let Murdoch sow discord.
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 16, 2016
The Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
