Beneath the Monday’s unusually vibrant blue skies that shined over the town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, a vision seldom seen in this typically grey northern English locale, the laid-back atmosphere thrived. The town was historically known as a haven for hippies, particularly in the 1970s when bohemian squatters occupied left-over homes from the town’s industrial era. Despite the aftermath of an old asbestos factory causing local fatalities, these freethinkers gambled and made it their home.
The occupiers may have departed, yet Hebden Bridge has undergone an unapologetic transformation to yuppiedom, while maintaining a unique artistic aura. The Yorkshire-man’s favoured pie shops have made way for organic food joints, and the pedestrian-friendly heart of the town throbs with fashionable cafes.
A number of these are dispersed around St George’s Square, where on Monday, individuals relished the outdoors, listening to a local musician performing guitar and singing in the square’s centre. Adorned with a trilby hat and a week-long beard, the busker embodies Hebden Bridge’s easy-going spirit, aligning with the warm weather.
While in queue at one cafe, a chatter with a local Labour Party representative was interrupted by the recognisable melody of a rebellious Irish song ‘The Foggy Dew,’ sung by the busker with his husky voice. Penned by a republican clergyman from Antrim, the song applauds the Easter Rising of 1916.
It was slightly audacious, given we were in Yorkshire, renowned for its uncompromising Englishness, and unlikely to witness Irish rebellious songs being performed in open. Leaving the queue, I stepped out to listen more keenly. Even as he sang about “Britannia’s Huns with their long-range guns” targeting the GPO, no one seemed to flinch.
Curiously, my Labour mate gave a laugh when I explained the essence of the song. “Everybody is a sort of rebel in these regions,” he remarked.
Having encountered the vocalist, James Bragg, I presumed he was originally from Cork or Kerry. However, to my surprise, when asked about his roots, he responded in thick Yorkshire dialect indicating that he hailed from Hebden Bridge. A query about his knowledge of a hearty Irish rebel song led to him reminiscing about his ancestors from Skibbereen. It was indeed fitting, considering the striking resemblance Hebden Bridge bore to west Cork, barring the absence of the sea.
In the midst of our discourse, a Labour party supporter, who had previously been boasting about the region being a party bastion, engaged in the conversation. Upon being questioned about his voting preferences for the July 4th election, Bragg proclaimed his support for the Green Party with unwavering confidence. This revelation seemed to wipe the smug grin off my Labour associate’s face.
When asked why he chose the Greens, Bragg expressed his discontent with Labour’s “too neoliberal” approach under Keir Starmer’s leadership, accusing them of negligence towards key left-wing issues. His sentiment echoes that of a notable faction within the party, which is currently on the brink of forming the government.
Though the chances for the Green Party to secure a seat in Yorkshire are bleak, its national vote share is anticipated to be about 7%, equating to nearly three million votes if voter turnout is high. However, due to the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system, the Greens realistically have a shot at only two seats.
Brighton Pavilion remains a stronghold where former co-leader Siân Berry, replacing the retiring Caroline Lucas, is almost certain to prevail. Of greater intrigue is the fierce contest in Bristol Central, where Green candidate Carla Denyer is on the verge of ousting Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire.
Denyer’s aggressive campaigning strategy, deviating from the customary amicable approach of the Green Party, has primarily centred on lambasting Labour for its perceived leniency towards Israel. She’s gained the endorsement of several notable figures, including actor Hugh Grant, disgruntled with Labour for their apparent disinclination to re-examine press phone hacking allegations. Electronic band Massive Attack has committed their support to Denyer as well.
In the past few weeks, Labour has been focusing its campaign efforts on Bristol Central, a region where it forms the entire local council. Losing Debbonaire, the Shadow Minister for Culture, would be a significant blow to the party. Additionally, the struggle to secure her position may serve as a cautionary tale for Starmer’s tribe about the perils of moving too far away from its left-wing origin. Unrest can indeed take various forms.