How times don't change, sadly.

Listening to an old John Peel mix tape yesterday, a billy Bragg session came on, and the lyrics of this struck me right between the eyes.

It shouldn't have been like under a 'Labour' government.

It says here that the unions will never learn
It says here that the economy is on the upturn
And it says here we should be proud
That we are free
And our free press reflects our democracy
Those braying voices on the right of the house
Are echoed down the street of shame

Where politics mix with bingo and tits
In a strictly money and numbers game
Where they offer you a feature
On stockings and suspenders
Next to a call for stiffer penalties for sex offenders

It says here that this years prince is born
It says here do you ever wish
That you were better informed
And it says here that we can only stop the rot
With a large dose of law and order
And a touch of the short sharp shock

If this does not reflect you view you should understand
That those who own the papers also own this land
And theyd rather you believeIn coronation street capers
In the war of circulation, it sells newspapers
Could it be an infringementOf the freedom of the press
To print pictures of women in states of undress

When you wake up to the fact
That you paper is tory
Just remember, there are two sides to every story

Music and lyric by Sir William of Bragg