Elton John asks Culture Secretary for visa-free deal for musicians touring the EU

It was great to see Sir Elton John pitching in with direct action over the campaign to sort out the post Brexit chaos threatening the livelihoods of musicians and other performers touring Europe.
The multi millionaire star had already signed a petition last month demanding visa-free travel for touring acts playing the EU.
And last week he lobbied culture secretary Oliver Dowden direct in a highly publicised phone call. Mr Dowden later described their discussion “very positive”
Elton John said he had felt it was his duty to try and improve a post Brexit situation that could leave many, particularly younger performers, facing unaffordable fees and a tangle of red tape.
He acknowleged that for wealthy and established artists like him the changes were manageable as he had a support team to sort out the paperwork but for younger artists it could be disastrous.
A petition asking that the UK Government “negotiate a free cultural work permit that gives us visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states for music touring professionals, bands, musicians, artists, TV and sports celebrities that tour the EU to perform shows and events & Carnet exception for touring equipment.” is due to be debated today.