Salisbury Lib Dem shuns song shock

It's a 300 year-old tradition in Salisbury - the victorious MP thanks his new constituents with a song. It's an old army song "The vly be on the Turmut" (honestly, not a typo)

Former MP Robert Key used to perform his duty with gusto - singing from the balcony of the White Hart.

John Glen has been chosen by Conservatives to fight the seat now, and says he will continue with the tradition. He's got the words and has been practicing the tune.

But Liberal Democrat Nick Radford is having nothing to do with it.

"It's a silly tradition, symbolic of many things that are wrong with politics." he says. "It's broadcasting at people rather than listening to them. It's not what people want to hear and I'm against it on principle."

Mr Radford admits that he's also not really comfortable with singing in public. And he says if he's victorious he would make a speech from the steps of the Guildhall and take questions.

The Labour candidate Tom Gann is less po-faced.

"I'm a terrible singer but I would sing it as lustily as I could." he says. "It's a harmless tradition which is worth keeping, and let's face it - I'd be so surprised and overjoyed to win I'd be quite prepared to do anything."

Here's a quick snatch of it just to whet your appetite.

T'were on a jolly zummer's day, the twenty-fust of May,
Jhn Scruggins took his turmut hoe, with this he trudged away,
Now some volkes they loike haymakin', and some they vancies mowin'
But of all the jobs as Oi loike best, gi'e Oi the turmut 'oein'.

Chorus:

The vly, the vly -
The vly be on the turmut,
'Tis all me eye,
For Oi to try,
To keep vlies off them turmuts.

There's even a history of the song (with the words) - from BBC Wiltshire.

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