It is of course gibberish that Hague utters. The 2-in-a-bar rule was the pre-existing rule pursuant to which 2 performers on a licensed bar needed no additional licence. The number of performers was conted over the whole evening, and recorded accompaniment de-activated the exemption.

The Licensing Act removed that exemption.

It was proposed and bulldozed (including by the use of untruth) by the DTI and DCMS (theoretically civil servants, but under Labour Party orders) but opposed by the Lib-Dems, the Conservatives, Shepherd Neame breweries, and a number of pressure groups including the Performer-Lawyer Group that I founded. It was initially oposed by the MU but they jumped ship in due course. Probably someone was offered a gong.

In the House of Lords, the Lib-Dems abandoned ship when they were offered the Morris exemption. The Conservatives stuck out for an acoustic exemption and a small gigs exemption. I was actually there at the time.

I think, Hague, that you are exposed as a troll by your own ignorant words. I am reminded of your party's website, which thinks that "'Obby 'Oss" is spelt "Hobby Horse". So much for a genuine love of traditions.