ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how the quote which opens it was overtaken by events as the United Kingdom (UK) state moved from benign indifference towards promoting pop as a business. Post-Britpop, the industry was enjoying a boom and its popularity suited New Labour's populism. New Labour was certainly aware of various music industries' concerns and Tony Blair used a 1995 speech to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to assure them that he would join their battle against internet piracy, something which the recording industry was obsessed with at the time. Labour initially committed itself to the spending plans of the previous government, and so Smith had to concentrate on efficiencies and rejigging existing commitments in order to change the direction of the Arts Council of England (ACE). Popular music was certainly a key part of Smith's vision and he was soon vocal in its support.
