I am quite happy to demonstrate by argument the dissuasive effect on providing music or dancing that the need to apply safeguards determined by the local authority may have.

Indeed I am draftinga rather long piece with this in view.

But it seems to me that the real crux of this matter is as follows.

Electric music needs to be regulated because of noise, disturbance and public safety. I live between two pubs. I used to roadie my daughter's electric rock band. I stil sometimes roadie a local heavy metal band. I know.

Acoustic music (often folk music but that is so hard to define (beware thread drift)) does not. It NEVER produces as much noise as a typical jukebox. Its aficionados NEVER cause public disturbance, and so far as I know (after enquiry) there is NO record of ANY public disorder EVER associated with acoustic folk music. There is therefore NO safety issue save for normal pub capacity issues - and these would aply anyway.

There is therefore NO legitimate reason to require licensing of acoustic music on premises having an alcohol licence.

Margaret Thatcher's refusal to listen made me a vote Labour.

This government's refusal to listen will...?