Looking at Baroness Blackstone's (official) amendments very briefly, it appears as though it's probably worse than it was before. It doesn't stop these things being illegal if not licensed, just decriminalises those who carry them out.

This means it's taken away our power to use civil disobedience as a weapon but still means the landlord of a pub will get into trouble. Pretty much back to the situation as before, but with the 2 in a bar exemption removed and other restrictions (like the pub piano one). It also doesn't seem to cope with things like advertised carol singing except to say that it's illegal but you won't get prosecuted for it.

An ambiguous law is always worse than a plain bad one.

Support Lord Whittle's amendments!!!

:-)