The Manic Street Preachers' new single Let Robeson Sing is a "plea for racial harmony" amidst the race riots sweeping Britain.

The band told NME that Britain needed a positive voice like that of Paul Robeson to "re-unite and inspire us".

They said, "We are not all judged by the standards of Tory Blair. Allegedly we are not all Britons. As parts of the disunited kingdom erupt in racial disharmony we need a positive voice like Paul Robeson to re-unite and inspire us. We'll probably look for it on the Internet unless a politician or publication with 21st century vision arrives."

Paul Robeson was an actor, singer and civil rights activist who fought oppression and racism around the world. He died in 1976.

The single is released on 3 September.