Billy Bragg, the great English performer and songwriter, embarks on the HOPE NOT HATE TOUR PART II in December, a special series of concerts in support of five of the UK’s leading anti-Fascist organisations. Three major trades unions - UNISON, the GMB and Amicus – are sponsoring the tour.

The dates follow the enormous success of Bragg’s first HOPE NOT HATE tour in April and May this year, serving to raise awareness of the threat of racism and the rise of the BNP in the UK.

The new tour includes two concerts at London’s Hackney Empire, the scene of Bragg’s legendary New Year’s Eve show in 1991.

“In this 70th year of the Battle of Cable Street, and with the rise of the BNP, it’s crucial that we continue our campaign against racism and Fascism in Britain,” says Bragg.

In 1936 the people of London’s East End rallied to Cable Street and forced back a march by the Fascist Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts.

The five anti-Fascist organisations supported by the HOPE NOT HATE TOUR PART II are Searchlight, Unite Against Fascism, Love Music Hate Racism, Show Racism the Red Card and The Leftfield at Glastonbury.

The shows will include live highlights from Bragg’s just-released ‘Billy Bragg Volume 2’ box set as well as a preview of songs he is recording for his new album next year.

‘Billy Bragg Volume 2’ - with eight CDs and a DVD featuring tracks dating from 1988 to 2002 - is the companion to the much-applauded ‘Billy Bragg Volume 1’ box set, released in March this year.

Among the albums featured on ‘Volume 2’ is ‘England, Half English’, Bragg’s 2002 release. The themes on that album have been further amplified in the much-acclaimed The Progressive Patriot: A Search For Belonging, Bragg’s first book, published by Bantam Press on Monday 9th October. The Progressive Patriot is part autobiography and part polemic on the meaning of national identity in modern Britain.

Billy Bragg ‘Hope not Hate Tour Part II’ is at Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday 6 December. Tickets £18.00, to book call 0845 612 6319 or log onto www.horsecross.co.uk