>Surely even the most blinkered, legislation-addicted minister can see that 
>it is not music which causes trouble when people are gathered together, but 
>alcohol. It is asinine to blame musicians for what is a general social 
>problem.<
The point is that there is perfectly adequate legislation to deal with this 
and with all the other concerns that this Government claim can only be dealt 
with by the costly duplication of additional blanket entertainment 
licensing.

And where there are riots at activities which are specifically exempt from 
this additional blanket entertainment licensing, as on the 14 May 2008, the 
Government, quite amazingly maintain that it is difficult to see if any 
effective added control would be available if the showing of TV sport were 
subject to additional entertainment licensing controls available under the 
Licensing Act 2003?


>4th June 2008 Lord Davies of Oldham:

The screening in Manchester of the broadcast of the UEFA cup final in a 
public place on 14 May only took place with the consent of the local 
authority and under restrictions agreed with the police. It is therefore 
difficult to see what added control would have been available had the event 
been subject to the licensing controls under the Licensing Act 2003, or that 
such controls would have prevented the disorder that arose.

It remains the Government's position that big-screen television broadcasts 
in themselves do not cause disorder, but that it is the consumption of 
alcohol at such events that can lead to problems. Decisions on whether 
big-screen events should go ahead are the responsibility of the local 
authority in consultation with the local police, who are involved at an 
early stage, and event organisers. It is already possible under existing 
legislation to control consumption and drunkenness in public places. Under 
the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, it is possible for a local 
authority to designate any area to which the public have access a place 
where alcohol may not be consumed. It is also an offence under the Licensing 
Act 1872 to be drunk in a public place. The Government are confident that 
the police and local authority in Manchester will ensure that safety and 
security arrangements provide a controlled environment at any future 
big-screen events.<

ENDS

On 21 July, 16:02, "Roger Gall"  wrote:
> >Surely even the most blinkered, legislation-addicted minister can see that
> >it is not music which causes trouble when people are gathered together, but
> >alcohol. It is asinine to blame musicians for what is a general social
> >problem.<
>

snip

Remember the folk singer whose guitar was trashed by Untied Airlines?

He wrote a song about it which went viral on YouTube and reportedly
affected UA's share price.

The previous petition about the crazy legislation against English folk
performing live music, song &/or dance  reached 80,000 sigs; which the
Government in its usual arrogance ignored.

Now there is another petition which will hopefully exceed that no.

However there must surely be someone, a duo (two in a bar?), or a
group, whatever, in that 80,000 who could write a song with a catchy
tune or even a 'Les Barker-type' parody about the Govt making folk
singing, music, dancing, etc., illegal in England.

If uploaded to enough video clip websites it could go viral like the
Untied Airlines one did, whilst at the same time drawing atention to
the new petition.

Just an idea - Chris B.