Morrissey has never wanted the Smiths to get back together.
I don’t know a single person who wants a Smiths reunion! But, no, there aren’t any bands I like to see again because your memory of them is how they were in their prime or at their best or at their most desperate, and you look to them to be someone that they no longer are. (Morrissey, Billboard, February 2014)
But despite that, Will Hodgkinson, in a review of the Smiths tribute band, the Smyths, has blamed a political party that Morrissey doesn’t now support.
Which is another way of gaslighting Morrissey after the NME spent 30 years (& counting) smearing him as a racist because of his sexuality.
Let’s not forget that the adolescent Morrissey used to be chased through the streets of Manchester at night by leering beer-boys, some of whom may have held NF sympathies, simply for being ‘different’. And he definitely spent a lot of time in Whalley Range, a multi-racial area. Is he now identifying with his former oppressors? Has he changed from the persecuted to the persecutor? Or, is he fascinated by the idea of racism, by the look of violent skinheads, to the extent of being oppressed so much he falls in love with his oppressors? (NME, August 1992)
Which led to his misplaced (& shortlived) faith in the leader of For Britain, a gay Irish immigrant vegan, called Anne Marie Waters, who had been in the Labour Party, the National Secular Society and feminist charity One Law for All and who was (and still is) complaining that she was smeared as a racist for campaigning against sexist, homophobic and cruel religious exemptions.
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/jul/05/sharia-law-religious-courts
I have been subject to an avalanche of lies and smears from people who don’t understand the issues (or the difference between race and religion) and don’t have the courage to. (Anne Marie Waters, BBC Wales, August 2017)
It was obvious that Morrissey didn’t believe she was far right, and that his values are left-wing even if he believed the modern world had somehow switched the labels. He’s supported George Galloway, Jeremy Corbyn, Bernie Sanders, the Animal Welfare Party and Dick Gregory… because of animals or an opposition to the class system.
He wore the For Britain party badge twice, and mentioned her and/or her party 4 times. He didn’t join. Or vote for them. Or contribute. He stopped supporting her in May 2019.
I know the media don’t want Anne Marie Waters and they try to smear her, but they are wrong and they should give her a chance, and they should stop accusing people who want open debate as being ‘racist’. As I said previously, the left has become right-wing and the right-wing has become left – a complete switch, and this is a very unhappy modern Britain. (Morrissey, Tremr, June 2018)
I despise racism. I despise fascism.
I would do anything for my Muslim friends and I know they would do anything for me.
… the tyrannies of the MSM who will tell you that For Britain are racist or fascist – please believe me, they are the very opposite… This is my last political strike. No wish to upset anyone! (Morrissey, Central, April 2018)
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…
(Morrissey, Central, May 2019)
I am not an activist, I have never voted for a political party, I do not belong to any political party… I do not believe the most important thing about a person is the colour of their skin. (Morrissey, Kipper Central, June 2019)
I still haven’t ever voted for a political party in my entire life. I haven’t ever belonged to a political party… I’ve never been on a political rally and I’ve never given a political speech so my apparent position as a political voice is… nonexistent.
(Morrissey, Central, July 2021)
He has no big money, reach or clout. He isn’t online. He doesn’t go to celebrity events. He hasn’t pivoted to a right-wing audience. He’s very unlikely to ever speak to the media. His nephew will occasionally type up an interview or statement for his website, Central, which will either be plundered for damning misquotes or ignored.
His critics meanwhile have spent 5 years (& counting), acres of print, thousands of social media posts, bits on radio/television, and dis tracks, knowingly promoting the far right with the dedication of a groyper and the piety of the Witchfinder General.
The Times is owned by Rupert Murdoch, whose media Empire has been accused of destabilising democracy and furthering white supremacy and yet no hack or celebrity has to fear social death if they work for him. Or any other mainstream right-wing outlet.
Attacking a socially dysfunctional outsider for wildly misrepresented ‘crimes’ in perpetuity is bigotry, doing it while stealing his work is horrifying.
The Murdochs own Fox News but rarely get the scrutiny they deserve for bankrolling racism and hatred.
https://theintercept.com/2020/10/24/fox-news-murdoch-family-media/
Mr. Murdoch and his feuding sons turned their media outlets into right-wing political influence machines that have destabilized democracy in North America, Europe and Australia.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/03/magazine/murdoch-family-investigation.html
On a side note – even Church of England vicars have no charity. Will gladly serve an institution with a history of colonialism, tyranny, corruption and child abuse – can’t listen to This Charming Man because Morrissey.
The song I can no longer listen to
This Charming Man. Much as I like the song, Morrissey has ceased to be charming for me. (Rev Richard Coles, The Guardian, January 2022)
Folk Devil 