The thing to push for is the Musicians Union proposal, which is that music in a pub should be treated the same way as any other activity - conversation, watching television, playing darts or pool. In other words, do what you like, so long as you don't cause a nuisance, cause offence to other people, or and endanger people. Very simple. Too simple, it seems.

Anything else is an infringement of our basic human rights.

And of course that applies in other places as well as pubs. People keep on talking as though the only places where music can take place is pubs, or as if these are the only places where there are any restrictions on our rights. It's just not true. Singing in a coffee bar, for example, is illegal now except in the very unlikely circumstances that there is a PEL , and it will continue to be illegal after any proposed legislation - and this is not something that should be acceptable in a free society.