ISM releases Manifesto for Musicians ahead of General Election 2019

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has released its election manifesto, which calls for an all-encompassing deal to protect the music community in the event that Brexit goes ahead and includes the introduction of a two-year, multi-entry visa for musicians.

It also calls for the reform or abolition of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which, the ISM said, is causing so much harm to music education in secondary schools and undermining the incredibly valuable creative industries.

The ISM is the UK’s professional body for musicians, set up in 1882 to promote the art of music and to protect the interests of all those working in the music sector

Deborah Annetts, the ISM’s chief executive, said: “Our latest Brexit report, Impact of Brexit on Musicians, demonstrates how much the music workforce depends on EU27/EEA countries for professional work, and reveals a profession who are deeply concerned about the future as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

“We need to stay focused on ensuring that post-Brexit there is a comprehensive deal in place which will protect every aspect of the musician’s working life. This includes everything from a two-year, multi-entry visa to ensuring that musicians can take their instruments easily across the channel to work in the EU.”

Ms Annetts added: “At the moment there seems to be a huge number of obstacles in the path of our music community which will severely damage not just their livelihood but also the music sector.

“Music knows no boundaries and it is vital Brexit does not put in place artificial rules and regulations that will deeply damage the music community for decades to come.”