I have written to Tony Balir and many others in terms below :-

Date : 6th December 2002

Re Licensing Reform and the Death of Live Music.

I appreciate that there are many and great issues of state pressing at the moment but I and thousands of like minded amateur and professional musicians would be grateful if you would kindly consider the contents of this e-mail and reflect on these provisions in the licensing bill.

Does the Department of Culture really want to reflect the culture of the Taliban. Does it really want to make criminals of musicians and organisers of charity events etc outlined in this e-mail?

I have recently visited York Minister. It advertises numerous events over the next two months, including Early Music, Classical Concerts, etc. None of these are religious services and none would therefore be exempt.   If York City Council is zealous will the Archbishop be charged under the act or ought he to apply for a liquor licence for York Minster stating in his action plan that he does not intend to sell alcohol?

I wonder how many MPs have considered this situation in this light. I am aware that many have signed an Early Day Motion expressing concern about the two in a bar rule. I am aware that the Department thinks it is freeing up musicians to restore live music.   In doing so though the "jobs worth" attitude of many local authority officials has to be seen to be believed. I know that Council Officials scoure the classified adverts of local papers looking for small events in pubs etc which do not have a public Entertainment Licence.

Please be aware of these concerns and avoid the UK becoming a world laughing stock.


Yours faithfully


Eric Twigger

To The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture, Minister for Tourism, Malcolm Moss MP, John Whittingdale MP, David Davies MP.


I see that the Lords have put in proper amendments including exemptions for un amplified music. This gives some hope but there are hundreds of cannon fodder labour MPs who will toe the party line in exchange for some vague hope of promotion no doubt.