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Morrissey calls for end to ‘Soviet Britain’ and ‘totalitarian control’

Former Smiths frontman, accused of supporting right-wing political group, also condemns ‘vengeful’ print media

Craig Simpson
Friday 24 May 2019 22:50 BST
(NBCU/Getty)

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Morrissey has called for an end to “Soviet Britain” after he was accused of supporting the far right.

The singer and former frontman of The Smiths has become the centre of controversy for his supposed support of the right-wing political group For Britain.

He said that “the march backwards is over” in an online rallying cry for his various viewpoints, from press freedom to animal rights.

The lengthy pronouncement was made on the official Facebook page of Morrissey, who has consistently denied he holds racist views.

In the 400-word message, the singer thanked BBC Radio 2 and host Jo Whiley for supporting his songs, before decrying the print media as “vengeful and paranoid” for misrepresenting him and “inventing Britain’s doomsday”.

It continued: “The march backwards is over, and life has begun again. With voice extended to breaking point, I call for the prosperity of free speech; the eradication of totalitarian control.

“I call for diversity of opinion; I call for the total abolition of the abattoir; I call for peace, above all; I call for civil society; I call for a so-far unknowable end to brutalities; ‘No’ to Soviet Britain; prayers not to gods but to forces; an end to disingenuous media cluelessness.

“The people have the power; hatred and beheadings belong in the furnace of history; music might still be your only friend; for every shade and persuasion ... we shall always be alongside each other – everyone’s culture of value.

“No more fashionable outrage; cows are friends to humans – don’t kill them.”

He further advised “beware of those who write in headlines” and “God gave you your life to enjoy”.

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Morrissey concluded the post with: “Ignore the cold eyes of fascism; your life is Art.”

The 60-year-old singer’s new album California Son has recently been released.

PA

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