Hey - just a thought. Seeing as how most local council meetings can be, and often are, held in public and even parliamentary sessions are televised and there is always more than two people performing (Well - sort of!) surely they need a PEL don't they?

How come Westminster coucil are not shutting the House of Commons down? How come officers from Weymouth are not threatening the councilors with fines and imprisonment?

They may well argue that it is not entertainment but surely we have enough clout to prove that lots of people are in fact entertained by it?

How about attending the public galleries and tapping our feet in time to someone droning on. Appluding and cheering after each speaker. Calling for an encore. Surely someone would have to act?

I would be willing to testify that I find parliamentary procedings very entertaining. In fact I regularly laugh so much I fall off the chair.

Come on Westminster council! Play fair. You cannot be seen to treating the Commons any differently than the local pubs. At least the pubs only try to encourage live music. The other place activeley invites ego trips, rowdyism and, on occasion violence! (Remember Michael Hesseltine and the Mace???)

Cheers

DtG