For as long as I can remember Billy Bragg has been arguing for tactical voting. He lives in some splendour in Dorset, and wants to drive the Tories out of the county by any means necessary. In 2005, although he was a Labour
supporter, and on many issues was well to Left of Labour, he urged his comrades in West Dorset to back the only party with a chance of beating Oliver Letwin by voting Lib Dem. By the time of the
2010 election, the tactical vote had become ideological. Bragg declared that he was now committed to Clegg. The Lib
Dems had “the best manifesto” and he would be voting for them with relish.
Bragg’s love affair has not lasted. In November, he denounced Clegg for betraying democracy by breaking his manifesto pledges on tuition fees without showing a trace of shame.
I doubt if he will be voting Lib Dem in May.
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