No I don't think we disagree much and as I have said, I do not think this is a good move by Sam Smiths but the reasons for this protest move on their part, are easy to understand. Also many of us would have beem unaware of the threat presented by this PRS/PPL increase for 2006 - if Sam Smiths had not taken the prompt action they have and Nick had not alerted us to this. Perhaps this may prove to be a good thing in the long-run and we may even have cause to thank them?

If you look at it from a position of survival in a competitive market - as Mr Smith does - it is clear.

If a Government allows or encourages a situation where it is cheaper for (small) pubs to run - without providing any live music (even before paying the musicians) - pub operators will not provide any.
No ammount of this Government's claims - in the face of this - that it is providing more opportunity for live music - will change this sad fact.

It may well be true that large pubs currently staging live music (and night clubs providing recorded dance music) - in areas where the PEL charges are set very high - will be paying less under the new Act than they are at present - but the 2006 increase in PRS/PPL fees will no doubt affect these places too...........