Paloma Faith: Musicians are scared to talk about politics because of online abuse

'I feel probably the reason why a lot of people in my position don’t even go there is because they feel so threatened and a bit scared'

English singer Paloma Faith (Getty Images)

Paloma Faith has suggested musicians shy away from discussing their political views because of the risk of a backlash of abuse.

Speaking to The Guardian, the singer criticised campaigns for and against a Brexit for being dominated by "lies, myths, and very few facts."

“The main backlash of [leaving the EU] is going to be economic,” she said. “The people who voted for us to leave are probably going to suffer first."

Conceding that she was “rare” in being both a mainstream musician and vocal about politics, Faith said one of the reasons is a fear of a negative reaction from the public.

“I feel probably the reason why a lot of people in my position don’t even go there is to retreat in fear and just go ‘oh I don’t want to get involved because I feel so threatened and a bit scared.”

On Tuesday Charlotte Church, another musician who is forthright about her political views, condemned the “horrifying” abuse she said she had received after blasting Nigel Farage.