1. The parts of the Lib Dems manifesto which supported the 200 exemption and two-in-a- bar for non-amplified music only do not appear in the Con/Lib coalition agreement/manifesto. So nothing is now being proposed by this Party and anyone who voted for them because of the Lib Dem manifesto can rightly feel betrayed.

2. Apart from his stated pre-election public support for the 200 exemption - there is no solid proposal from the Tories, now Mr Hunt is now (supposed to be) in charge at the DCMS.

3. But as no Minister there has (yet) been given this brief, there would seem to be some doubt if DCMS will keep licensing or if this will go to the Home Office.

4. The only remaining crumb of comfort is if Don Foster re-introduces the Live Music Bill - as a Private Menbers Bill, which he said he would do. So far there is deafing silence from that quarter   

5. And the fate of the DCMS consultations is still to be announced.

Reasons to be cheerful? Apart from getting shot of the last bunch - I think not.

Now, all three parties have assured us that the problems presented to live music by additional entertainment licensing will be addressed. None of them have actually delivered when they were in power to do so. The Lib Dems in particular have twice had this opportunity but have chosen make deals which scuppered the chance.