Sounding the Alert - The UK music industry is calling for the new Labour government to make essential changes to rescue British music - from halting the closure of venues to providing essential opportunities for new talent

To quote one Bob Dylan: "the times they are a-changin." After 14 years of Tory rule, 4 July saw a changing of the guard in British politics as Sir Keir Starmer stood on the steps of Downing Street to mark the start of a new Labour government and - according to the man himself - a decade of national renewal.Not that the result was ever in doubt, however. A cursory look at polls over the preceding year showed that a Labour landslide was very much on the cards, and it seemed like those aforementioned Dylan lyrics were about to ring true.

- By Nick Reilly - Illustration by Richard Burn

To quote one Bob Dylan: "the times they are a-changin." After 14 years of Tory rule, 4 July saw a changing of the guard in British politics as Sir Keir Starmer stood on the steps of Downing Street to mark the start of a new Labour government and - according to the man himself - a decade of national renewal.

Not that the result was ever in doubt, however. A cursory look at polls over the preceding year showed that a Labour landslide was very much on the cards, and it seemed like those aforementioned Dylan lyrics were about to ring true.

In turn, it meant that key voices in UK music were given a chance to prepare for the expected change in administration. On the morning of 4 July, they struck a warm - if somewhat cautious - note about what lay ahead for the Starmer administration.

In a bold message to the PM, UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl stressed that Labour had been given a huge mandate for change, but also explained that it would be far from plain sailing.

The incoming Labour government has been elected on a platform to implement a plan for the creative sector as part of its industrial strategy. The potential of the UK music industry to contribute to growth must be at the heart of this plan, explained Kiehl.

From post-Brexit touring to the existential threat facing independent venues, it's fair to say that the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) - led by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has got a lot of work to do.

Education, education, education

Growth, as Kiehl suggested, should be at the heart of any Labour strategy when it comes to music, and it starts with education.

In their manifesto, Labour pledged to launch a new National Music Education Network- a one-stop shop to boost access to courses and classes for parents, teachers and children. Now music bodies want them to follow through on this promise.