This is how Don Thompson sees the present position.

I think there is a point that we have all been avoiding, which needs to be addressed. We have talked, and acted, as though the government, in its ignorance, has blundered from one bad law to another worse one. We are ignoring the fact that their political agenda probably has nothing to do with what interests us, namely the music.

The way in which they persist in misunderstanding what we say to them makes it obvious to me, that they are fighting a rearguard action designed to delay any action by us until it is too late. Their obvious intention is to enact legislation designed to force all landlords to purchase PEL's.

This is a TAX collecting excercise of the type for which this government is well known. For this reason we need (while keeping up the pressure for further consultation), to attack on a totally different front.

Publicity is the key to this whole affair. We must somehow find a way of interesting the media in what is happening. If the general public can be informed of changes which will affect the price of their pint, we will acquire large numbers of allies, and be much more difficult to ignore.

Any suggestions?