JUST before our interview, Paul Heaton does one of his irregular “video columns” for his fans, a YouTube discussion suggesting — among other things — that the national anthem be rewritten by Chas’n’Dave.

Presumably, that’s to make it more palatable to the leader of the opposition who may, for the first time in more than 20 years, persuade Heaton to vote Labour again.

“I like Jeremy Corbyn,” says Heaton, who — if not for the unspeakable Cliff Richard already cornering that particular sobriquet — I’d be cheekily tempted to describe as the Peter Pan of the music scene.

The hardest-working man in pop might be more appropriate, given his new album is his 15th studio recording in 30 years but, sadly, that title’s already gone to Peter Andre so perhaps I’ll stick with the prickliest man in pop.

Along with Jacqui Abbott again, Heaton is about to deliver the follow-up to last year’s brilliant What Have We Become?

New album Wisdom, Laughter and Lines is out on October 23 and the first single from it Austerity of Love is a rather upbeat assault on conservative senses, love songs, foodbanks — and cheese. Well, that’s how it sounds to me.

Heaton grimaces when I tell him this but cheers up when I congratulate him on being the first pop singer I can think of who may finally have got the word austerity into the charts.

Having experienced success in the Housemartins, The Beautiful South and now as part of a dynamic duo with Abbott, Heaton sees no reason to slow down or tone down.

Not being one who gets invited onto chat shows to discuss his politics, it may still come as a surprise to some that Heaton is so politically motivated. But a lot will be glad to hear that Heaton’s convictions are hardening with age.

“The last album sat just about right with me. It was the right amount of success, he says. “I think we were all pleased with it. I like what I’m doing so if others like it too, that’s the only real success I need.

“I’ve enjoyed great success over my 30 years but I still think the music industry should be nationalised.

“I think I’ve probably got about another five albums left in me, so that’s something for Jeremy Corbyn to aim for if he gets elected in 2020.

“I want him to nationalise the music industry.”

Perhaps the secret to Heaton’s success is that he has managed somehow to keep delivering his blows through the guise of a choirboy up a chimney or, perhaps, by having Abbott as the perfect foil for those love songs and kitchen-sink pyres.

When you listen to the two there’s some craft at work that makes even the sublimely bitter observations of tracks like State v Jeeves or Heatongrad seem so palatable for mass consumption.

Paul Heaton probably won’t be sitting down on some television couch soon to declare himself a communist, but he is “the sort that wants to lob bricks anyway,” he pronounces.

He sounds pretty happy saying that.

And he and Abbott still sound quite brilliant while doing it.

• Wisdom, Laughter and Lines is released on EMI records.