Comments on: Now they want us to pay for services we do not receive! http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/ Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Wokingham Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:54:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Random Nuclear Strikes » Boobs about the Tubes http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19957 Random Nuclear Strikes » Boobs about the Tubes Fri, 02 May 2008 14:14:43 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19957 [...] I used to get this type of crap from the WA DOL about cars that did not run. Well, everything except for the “inspectors”. When I heard from a constituent complaining of persecution by the TV licensing authority, who not believe him when he told them he did not have a television, I was sympathetic and took up his case. The response I received from the Authority was typical of this government’s revenue arms – inflexible, and determined to raise the maximum cash it can from the long suffering public. As usual I did not take the matter to the press, as the issue came to me in confidence and many constituents do not want their personal details splashed across the local – or sometimes the national – newspapers. [...] [...] I used to get this type of crap from the WA DOL about cars that did not run. Well, everything except for the “inspectors”. When I heard from a constituent complaining of persecution by the TV licensing authority, who not believe him when he told them he did not have a television, I was sympathetic and took up his case. The response I received from the Authority was typical of this government’s revenue arms – inflexible, and determined to raise the maximum cash it can from the long suffering public. As usual I did not take the matter to the press, as the issue came to me in confidence and many constituents do not want their personal details splashed across the local – or sometimes the national – newspapers. [...]

]]> By: Sao Paulo http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19892 Sao Paulo Thu, 01 May 2008 07:03:22 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19892 The BBC is just a liberal/left mouthpiece that should be shoved back in the dark ages with it's fans. www.tvlicenceresistance.info The BBC is just a liberal/left mouthpiece that should be shoved back in the dark ages with it’s fans.

http://www.tvlicenceresistance.info

]]> By: Jon in Southamption http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19781 Jon in Southamption Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:13:50 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19781 Living under the "Boot of Auntie", people are sick to death of it. The entire BBC is made up of socialist cronies...its far too big to be funded by general taxation. PRIVATIZE, the only sensible thing the next goverment could do, simple!! But...I sometimes get the impression that the BBC's a dictatorial entity over and above the elected government, so it'll be tough for the next Conservative Government to carry out the wishes of the electorate and abolish the TV license, forcing the BBC to seek funding from its subscribers, rather than growing fat on taxation. Living under the “Boot of Auntie”, people are sick to death of it.
The entire BBC is made up of socialist cronies…its far too big to be funded by general taxation.
PRIVATIZE, the only sensible thing the next goverment could do, simple!!
But…I sometimes get the impression that the BBC’s a dictatorial entity over and above the elected government, so it’ll be tough for the next
Conservative Government to carry out the wishes of the electorate and abolish the TV license, forcing the BBC to seek funding from its subscribers, rather than growing fat on taxation.

]]> By: Dr Dan H. http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19771 Dr Dan H. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:49:30 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19771 A solution I have heard of for this sort of thing is to give the TV Licencing people written notification that you have no TV, then when the letters inevitably continue, ask the police to step in. Current law states that you have a right to be free from harassment, and this harassment can come in any form, including threatening letters. What will normally happen is that you tell the police, the letters continue and you complain once more whereupon the police have a quiet word with TVL and the letters stop coming. There's nothing quite as effective in stopping a bullying public body as the prospect of having an even bigger bully come round to see them. A solution I have heard of for this sort of thing is to give the TV Licencing people written notification that you have no TV, then when the letters inevitably continue, ask the police to step in.

Current law states that you have a right to be free from harassment, and this harassment can come in any form, including threatening letters.

What will normally happen is that you tell the police, the letters continue and you complain once more whereupon the police have a quiet word with TVL and the letters stop coming. There’s nothing quite as effective in stopping a bullying public body as the prospect of having an even bigger bully come round to see them.

]]> By: Stuart Fairney http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19767 Stuart Fairney Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:34:05 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19767 "shut down the BBC and dismiss its staff on the spot" Oh, please yes, have SKY on hand to cover it. “shut down the BBC and dismiss its staff on the spot”

Oh, please yes, have SKY on hand to cover it.

]]> By: David R http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19752 David R Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:40:03 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19752 John, Great Blog. My thoughts: The BBC is perverting democracy in this country. It should be broken up and privatised. Sell off the radio stations to different buyers. Replace the licence fee with a subscription model and then float the TV division on the stock market. Also sell off C4. Not only would this be good for democracy and broadcasting, but it would surely provide a significant windfall for the Treasury. However I'm no policy expert so I could be completely wrong! John you are an expert, so can you expand your thoughts on the rethink you believe is necessary? John, Great Blog.

My thoughts:

The BBC is perverting democracy in this country. It should be broken up and privatised. Sell off the radio stations to different buyers. Replace the licence fee with a subscription model and then float the TV division on the stock market.

Also sell off C4.

Not only would this be good for democracy and broadcasting, but it would surely provide a significant windfall for the Treasury.

However I’m no policy expert so I could be completely wrong!

John you are an expert, so can you expand your thoughts on the rethink you believe is necessary?

]]> By: David Gillies http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19750 David Gillies Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:56:30 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19750 The BBC is incorrigible. Simply ending the current licensing system would do nothing to root out the systemic infection of transnational progressivism that is its core. No, I am afraid that I must concur with Dr Sean Gabb in this: one of the first actions of an incoming government that is truly committed to liberty and the defence of Enlightenment values must be to simply shut down the BBC and dismiss its staff on the spot. Razing Television Centre, The Mailbox etc. and sowing the ground with salt would probably be unnecessary, but it couldn't hurt. The BBC is incorrigible. Simply ending the current licensing system would do nothing to root out the systemic infection of transnational progressivism that is its core. No, I am afraid that I must concur with Dr Sean Gabb in this: one of the first actions of an incoming government that is truly committed to liberty and the defence of Enlightenment values must be to simply shut down the BBC and dismiss its staff on the spot. Razing Television Centre, The Mailbox etc. and sowing the ground with salt would probably be unnecessary, but it couldn’t hurt.

]]> By: Mousecatcher http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19747 Mousecatcher Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:48:14 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19747 I definitely agree with another poster who has said the letters should be binned. They don't mean anything. We've never had a television in our home and have had countless silly letters over the last two or three decades. Only twice in all that time has an inspector come to the door: the first occasion I told him he couldn't come in and he said OK, and the second time he got as far as the hall and then seemed to lose his nerve and left, covered in confusion! Readers may be interested in this site which shows, and comments upon, the various letters the owner of the site has received. Also some interesting stuff about detector vans. http://www.bbctvlicence.com/index.htm I definitely agree with another poster who has said the letters should be binned. They don’t mean anything. We’ve never had a television in our home and have had countless silly letters over the last two or three decades. Only twice in all that time has an inspector come to the door: the first occasion I told him he couldn’t come in and he said OK, and the second time he got as far as the hall and then seemed to lose his nerve and left, covered in confusion!

Readers may be interested in this site which shows, and comments upon, the various letters the owner of the site has received. Also some interesting stuff about detector vans.

http://www.bbctvlicence.com/index.htm

]]> By: Bazman http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19744 Bazman Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:31:18 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19744 Sky TV is the alternative system and you can keep it. Sky TV is the alternative system and you can keep it.

]]> By: harry http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19730 harry Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:55:29 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19730 John, here's a policy suggestion. Fund the BBC from the National Lottery and end the licence fee. This would be very popular with working people who buy lottery tickets and watch the BBC. Currently lottery money is distributed by the great and good on things like restoring the Royal Opera house. Talk about a regressive tax. Also, perhaps a percentage of Lottery money could go to services for children and young people, related to the number of lottery tickets sold in a region. Again working people and their children would benefit. So: 1/3 BBC and public broadcasting 1/3 Childrens services eg playgroups, youth clubs 1/3 other causes. Sports and Arts. The BBC funding would be less than what it raises now. But surely their could be some savings what with new technology and making lefties redundant. John, here’s a policy suggestion.

Fund the BBC from the National Lottery and end the licence fee.

This would be very popular with working people who buy lottery tickets and watch the BBC. Currently lottery money is distributed by the great and good on things like restoring the Royal Opera house. Talk about a regressive tax.

Also, perhaps a percentage of Lottery money could go to services for children and young people, related to the number of lottery tickets sold in a region. Again working people and their children would benefit.

So:
1/3 BBC and public broadcasting
1/3 Childrens services eg playgroups, youth clubs
1/3 other causes. Sports and Arts.

The BBC funding would be less than what it raises now. But surely their could be some savings what with new technology and making lefties redundant.

]]> By: Simon_C http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19728 Simon_C Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:12:38 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19728 Even when you do have a license, they still hassle you. My other half bought me a PVR for christmas, quite early as it happens. Some time in December the TVLA decided to write to her saying she needed to buy a TV license even though the address was licensed. It seems their computer system thought that a different surname meant the old occupiers must have moved out. To make matters worse, I accidently opened the letter (a household letter from the TVLA, I just didn't read the to address) so it spoiled the present too. We're waiting for the inspector to come round, and then we'll staple the license to his forhead.... Even when you do have a license, they still hassle you.
My other half bought me a PVR for christmas, quite early as it happens.

Some time in December the TVLA decided to write to her saying she needed to buy a TV license even though the address was licensed. It seems their computer system thought that a different surname meant the old occupiers must have moved out.

To make matters worse, I accidently opened the letter (a household letter from the TVLA, I just didn’t read the to address) so it spoiled the present too. We’re waiting for the inspector to come round, and then we’ll staple the license to his forhead….

]]> By: John of Enfield http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19727 John of Enfield Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:53:12 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19727 Your comment is awaiting moderation. It is the Orwellian threats on the TV Adverts that annoy me. “WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE”. How can a democratically elected government even allow such treatment of the populace? And NuLab is surprised that 75% of us don’t want ID Cards. We will then presumably get adverts saying “WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ALL THE TIME”. Thank goodness that technology is rapidly making the BBC redundant. Next up: A Window(s) tax! Note also that none of this level of effort is applied to stopping perpetrators of voting fraud. Your comment is awaiting moderation.
It is the Orwellian threats on the TV Adverts that annoy me. “WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE”. How can a democratically elected government even allow such treatment of the populace? And NuLab is surprised that 75% of us don’t want ID Cards. We will then presumably get adverts saying “WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ALL THE TIME”. Thank goodness that technology is rapidly making the BBC redundant. Next up: A Window(s) tax!
Note also that none of this level of effort is applied to stopping perpetrators of voting fraud.

]]> By: APL http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19725 APL Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:23:52 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19725 Well said Mr Redwood. Mike: "My personal choice would be to fund the BBC through general taxation or government grants, ...." If I might take issue with this idea. The BBC should not be reliant nor connected to the british government in any way whatsoever. The world service however, might be a justifiable central government expendititure. I think that if the next conservative government is to have any chance of success, the BBC must be the very first organisation that is dealt with. It is *that* important for domestic political plurality. In my opinion, the best way to do this is to give the BBC six months to convert their licence payers into subscribers to the BBC domestic service. After which time when digital television is rolled out the terrestrial signal will be switched off and those without a subscription will find the digital signal encrypted. By the way, the BBC doesn't need ten (or however many it has) digital channels, it could cut back to the old two; BBC1, BBC2 + one (perhaps). There are so many repeats on those channels that they do not represent value for money. The digital channels all broadcast the test card throughout the day and anyway and their audience share is miniscule. Well said Mr Redwood.

Mike: “My personal choice would be to fund the BBC through general taxation or government grants, ….”

If I might take issue with this idea. The BBC should not be reliant nor connected to the british government in any way whatsoever. The world service however, might be a justifiable central government expendititure.

I think that if the next conservative government is to have any chance of success, the BBC must be the very first organisation that is dealt with. It is *that* important for domestic political plurality.

In my opinion, the best way to do this is to give the BBC six months to convert their licence payers into subscribers to the BBC domestic service. After which time when digital television is rolled out the terrestrial signal will be switched off and those without a subscription will find the digital signal encrypted.

By the way, the BBC doesn’t need ten (or however many it has) digital channels, it could cut back to the old two; BBC1, BBC2 + one (perhaps). There are so many repeats on those channels that they do not represent value for money. The digital channels all broadcast the test card throughout the day and anyway and their audience share is miniscule.

]]> By: Nigel Packer http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19720 Nigel Packer Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:08:28 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19720 I have been through this experience of harassment from the TVLA with the various threats in the letters they regularly sent out. We had people calling at the house and trying to gain access with surveys and videos they wanted us to watch and comment on. Eventually these threats stopped. I have recently received an unsolicited TV licence request form in my business which I left unopened on my desk. Last week a man in a suit tuned up to inspect my premises to see if we had a TV. I was a little annoyed as I explained we are here to work not watch TV! During the time he filled in his forms I asked about the internet and the live streaming that was broadcast by the BBC of News 24 and other programmes. He informed me that if you watch live broadcast you must to have a licence but if you pause the broadcast for a few seconds than start running it again a licence is not required. These live broadcasts are nothing more than entrapment by the BBC for the online viewer and should be stopped. Surely the BBC can put a 10 second delay on the broadcasts and then internet viewers would not become criminals by default. The proposal by one comment to nationalise the BBC is long overdue and it would make the BBC compete in the open market. I have been through this experience of harassment from the TVLA with the various threats in the letters they regularly sent out. We had people calling at the house and trying to gain access with surveys and videos they wanted us to watch and comment on. Eventually these threats stopped.

I have recently received an unsolicited TV licence request form in my business which I left unopened on my desk. Last week a man in a suit tuned up to inspect my premises to see if we had a TV. I was a little annoyed as I explained we are here to work not watch TV! During the time he filled in his forms I asked about the internet and the live streaming that was broadcast by the BBC of News 24 and other programmes. He informed me that if you watch live broadcast you must to have a licence but if you pause the broadcast for a few seconds than start running it again a licence is not required.

These live broadcasts are nothing more than entrapment by the BBC for the online viewer and should be stopped. Surely the BBC can put a 10 second delay on the broadcasts and then internet viewers would not become criminals by default. The proposal by one comment to nationalise the BBC is long overdue and it would make the BBC compete in the open market.

]]> By: Donitz http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19717 Donitz Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:24:42 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19717 John,I read with interest your comments on the refurbishment of your inherited property. I have refurbished several buildings over the years and often taken the following action. Council Tax An unoccupied dwelling that has been unfurnished since its reconstruction or since the completion of any structural alteration or repair. Exempt for up to 12 months. An unoccupied dwelling left unfurnished since the last day of occupation. Exempt for up to 6 months from date the property first becomes unoccupied and unfurnished. 25% discount for single persons allowance. TV Licence I do not open letters or reply as these are computer generated and any replys are ignored. I File under Bin. Ignore all threats as you have not commited a crime as you do not have a television set within the property. If you are lucky enough to meet a licence inspector at the vacant property, show him/her the living room under refurbishment. He will remove you from their database until you next purchase a television and give the property address to the retailer you purchased the set from. John,I read with interest your comments on the refurbishment of your inherited property.

I have refurbished several buildings over the years and often taken the following action.

Council Tax

An unoccupied dwelling that has been unfurnished since its reconstruction or since the completion of any structural alteration or repair. Exempt for up to 12 months.

An unoccupied dwelling left unfurnished since the last day of occupation. Exempt for up to 6 months from date the property first becomes unoccupied and unfurnished.

25% discount for single persons allowance.

TV Licence

I do not open letters or reply as these are computer generated and any replys are ignored. I File under Bin.

Ignore all threats as you have not commited a crime as you do not have a television set within the property.

If you are lucky enough to meet a licence inspector at the vacant property, show him/her the living room under refurbishment. He will remove you from their database until you next purchase a television and give the property address to the retailer you purchased the set from.

]]> By: Freeborn John http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19708 Freeborn John Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:10:45 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19708 I spent one of my student summers (1986) working in the souvenir shop at Liberty state park in New Jersey. It was bicentennial year and the park’s main attraction, the statue of liberty, was the centrepiece of celebrations. A lot of the American tourists coming into the shop would hear my British accent and we would get chatting. I remember one guy telling me that America was the land of the free because you were made to pay for TV in other countries. I was a rather affronted by the remark at the time and still think it is the least likely definition of liberty I ever heard; but many times since I have felt there to be more than a germ of truth to his redneck philosophy. I spent one of my student summers (1986) working in the souvenir shop at Liberty state park in New Jersey. It was bicentennial year and the park’s main attraction, the statue of liberty, was the centrepiece of celebrations. A lot of the American tourists coming into the shop would hear my British accent and we would get chatting. I remember one guy telling me that America was the land of the free because you were made to pay for TV in other countries. I was a rather affronted by the remark at the time and still think it is the least likely definition of liberty I ever heard; but many times since I have felt there to be more than a germ of truth to his redneck philosophy.

]]> By: cherie79 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19707 cherie79 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:30:26 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19707 Nothing to do with TV John although I totally agree in a multi channel age it is high time the licence was scrapped. What do you think about this, I am a 65 year old widow, my husband died in an accident last January2007. I sold my house, or so I thought, and arranged to move in December as I did not want to be in my house for the anniversary and arranged to move near my son. The sale fell through but I too late to change my plans and I had to take a mortgage, fortunately not too big, to proceed. My buyer eventually found another buyer and then, due to the mortgage crisis that failed too. I called the local council to see what happened if I failed to sell within the six month exemption period for council tax. To my utter horror I was told that I would have to pay full council tax - for an empty house and using no services. Surely this cannot be right, I have found out it is not illegal but to pay two lots of council tax would take half my income. I can understand not wanting empty houses but this is totally different, it is not my fault and I am already paying insurance, power and a neighbour looks after the house. I was told, rather rudely that it was just too bad and that there were a lot of people in that position, not even a single person bill but the whole for no one! I am now considering selling to a property company at a considerable loss. Given the current mortgage famine there may be a lot more caught in this trap. I did ask my local MP, just told it wasn't illegal and maybe could appeal on compassionate grounds, not exactly helpful from a Conservative MP. When did this law come in? I thought it used to be 50% if you were paying council tax elsewhere. Reply: The Labour government is keen to tax "empty houses " and second homes, and so are cash strapped Councils. Nothing to do with TV John although I totally agree in a multi channel age it is high time the licence was scrapped. What do you think about this, I am a 65 year old widow, my husband died in an accident last January2007. I sold my house, or so I thought, and arranged to move in December as I did not want to be in my house for the anniversary and arranged to move near my son. The sale fell through but I too late to change my plans and I had to take a mortgage, fortunately not too big, to proceed. My buyer eventually found another buyer and then, due to the mortgage crisis that failed too. I called the local council to see what happened if I failed to sell within the six month exemption period for council tax. To my utter horror I was told that I would have to pay full council tax - for an empty house and using no services. Surely this cannot be right, I have found out it is not illegal but to pay two lots of council tax would take half my income. I can understand not wanting empty houses but this is totally different, it is not my fault and I am already paying insurance, power and a neighbour looks after the house. I was told, rather rudely that it was just too bad and that there were a lot of people in that position, not even a single person bill but the whole for no one! I am now considering selling to a property company at a considerable loss. Given the current mortgage famine there may be a lot more caught in this trap. I did ask my local MP, just told it wasn’t illegal and maybe could appeal on compassionate grounds, not exactly helpful from a Conservative MP. When did this law come in? I thought it used to be 50% if you were paying council tax elsewhere.

Reply: The Labour government is keen to tax “empty houses ” and second homes, and so are cash strapped Councils.

]]> By: Paul Buddery http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19706 Paul Buddery Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:36:00 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19706 John, The question for me is: will a Tory government start to unravel this nonsense? We know where you stand, but are you one of Albert Jay Nock's Remnant, or are you part of a wider movement that believes that the size of government and its powers are too great. My fear is that the difference between the incumbent and waiting governments is only in the ways that they want to regulate and intrude into people's lives. John,

The question for me is: will a Tory government start to unravel this nonsense? We know where you stand, but are you one of Albert Jay Nock’s Remnant, or are you part of a wider movement that believes that the size of government and its powers are too great.

My fear is that the difference between the incumbent and waiting governments is only in the ways that they want to regulate and intrude into people’s lives.

]]> By: mikestallard http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19704 mikestallard Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:36:55 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19704 Wow! That was a quick fix! I bet you do not use Public Service Computers, do you. Have you read Charles Moore's remarks about TV licensing in the Spectator. He had just the same experience as you did. I wonder, myself, if the problem isn't rather deeper. We are facing a new class of professional politicians who "know best". This is particularly true of Europe where the technocrats are deliberately put in charge. But it also true here in England where the MPs and the Regional governments are full of professionals who "know best". Examples of where they "know best" are, of course, the EU referendum/Lisbon Treaty; smoking in pubs etc; how much to tolerate alcohol abuse; how much to tolerate drug abuse; sexual freedoms (gays really are unpopular, but marriage is on the ropes); the death penalty; immigration (passionately against); litter and rubbish collection (dykes full of rubbish); multiculturalism and racism ("You cannot hear English spoken in the town centre"); global warming and carbon emission controls (especially wind turbines); biofuels (lots of Fairtrade stuff here, but farmers profiting for once); health and safety; minimum wage (Poles don't get it); religion (tolerance of everything except Christianity, e.g. banning nativity plays etc). From my own experience living here in the Fens, I would say that many local people have diametrically opposed views to the political class on every one of these issues. Eventually, of course, there will be a cause celebre and the people will rise in revolt. Wow! That was a quick fix! I bet you do not use Public Service Computers, do you.
Have you read Charles Moore’s remarks about TV licensing in the Spectator. He had just the same experience as you did.
I wonder, myself, if the problem isn’t rather deeper.
We are facing a new class of professional politicians who “know best”. This is particularly true of Europe where the technocrats are deliberately put in charge. But it also true here in England where the MPs and the Regional governments are full of professionals who “know best”.
Examples of where they “know best” are, of course, the EU referendum/Lisbon Treaty; smoking in pubs etc; how much to tolerate alcohol abuse; how much to tolerate drug abuse; sexual freedoms (gays really are unpopular, but marriage is on the ropes); the death penalty; immigration (passionately against); litter and rubbish collection (dykes full of rubbish); multiculturalism and racism (”You cannot hear English spoken in the town centre”); global warming and carbon emission controls (especially wind turbines); biofuels (lots of Fairtrade stuff here, but farmers profiting for once); health and safety; minimum wage (Poles don’t get it); religion (tolerance of everything except Christianity, e.g. banning nativity plays etc).
From my own experience living here in the Fens, I would say that many local people have diametrically opposed views to the political class on every one of these issues.
Eventually, of course, there will be a cause celebre and the people will rise in revolt.

]]> By: Mike H http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19700 Mike H Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:58:53 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19700 Agreed on all points, especially the one relating to the BBC's self-advertising. If the licencing authorities do knock on your door at 2am I hope you won't let them in. As far as I am aware they are not (yet) included in the growing number of organisations who can demand access to your property. I'll admit that I enjoy advert-free TV, but the supposed benefits of funding the BBC through taxation are diminishing by the hour. Their political commentary is biased, they can no longer be trusted to provide an even-handed opinion on many non-political topics, and they no longer provide a product that is differentiated from the offerings of most commercial channels. They have joined the ratings-chasing pack and no longer deserve special treatment. I look forward to these issues being tackled by a Conservative government. If the BBC were to provide unbiased political commentary, banish all self-advertising to history, reduce the plethora of additional unnecessary channels and raise the standards of much of their TV output, I could be persuaded to support the funding of a leaner, fitter BBC via taxation provided it is kept to reasonable levels. On the other hand, if they can't raise their game they should earn their own keep. Agreed on all points, especially the one relating to the BBC’s self-advertising.

If the licencing authorities do knock on your door at 2am I hope you won’t let them in. As far as I am aware they are not (yet) included in the growing number of organisations who can demand access to your property.

I’ll admit that I enjoy advert-free TV, but the supposed benefits of funding the BBC through taxation are diminishing by the hour. Their political commentary is biased, they can no longer be trusted to provide an even-handed opinion on many non-political topics, and they no longer provide a product that is differentiated from the offerings of most commercial channels. They have joined the ratings-chasing pack and no longer deserve special treatment.

I look forward to these issues being tackled by a Conservative government.

If the BBC were to provide unbiased political commentary, banish all self-advertising to history, reduce the plethora of additional unnecessary channels and raise the standards of much of their TV output, I could be persuaded to support the funding of a leaner, fitter BBC via taxation provided it is kept to reasonable levels. On the other hand, if they can’t raise their game they should earn their own keep.

]]> By: Anna http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19698 Anna Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:22:45 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19698 Hi, I totally agree with you. I dont have a tv to watch broadcast media. I can get all the news i want on the internet, which is nothing to do with the BBC. I pay £25 a month for my internet and am disturbed that since the Beeb has put its shows on digital download, it now thinks we need a license for that too. How totally arrogant. I do own a tv for watching dvds and playing video games. It is de-tuned and is not connected to an arial. You wouldnt believe the problems i face in trying to convince the License body that im actually not that interested in broadcast TV. I just dont want to watch it, but i like my dvd's. Can you please start a campaign to address this. Owning a device that shows video pictures is not the same as plugging in and watching tv programmes. In the first days of tv, thats all there was. Aunty beeb and then itv ruled the airwaves. Nowadays there are many uses to a tv set that have nothing to do with the bbc. '1960's Russia' is an accurate asessment. Anna Hi,

I totally agree with you. I dont have a tv to watch broadcast media. I can get all the news i want on the internet, which is nothing to do with the BBC. I pay £25 a month for my internet and am disturbed that since the Beeb has put its shows on digital download, it now thinks we need a license for that too. How totally arrogant.

I do own a tv for watching dvds and playing video games. It is de-tuned and is not connected to an arial.

You wouldnt believe the problems i face in trying to convince the License body that im actually not that interested in broadcast TV.

I just dont want to watch it, but i like my dvd’s. Can you please start a campaign to address this. Owning a device that shows video pictures is not the same as plugging in and watching tv programmes.

In the first days of tv, thats all there was. Aunty beeb and then itv ruled the airwaves. Nowadays there are many uses to a tv set that have nothing to do with the bbc.

‘1960’s Russia’ is an accurate asessment.

Anna

]]> By: Kay Tie http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19697 Kay Tie Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:20:58 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19697 If I were to ring up the managing director of TVL and ask him why he doesn't have a firearms licence, to do so every few months, and to threaten to send an inspector, I'd have the police down on me within minutes and an ASBO issued. The behaviour of TVL is evidently harassment and grounds for a corporate ASBO. Has no-one tried to do this? If I were to ring up the managing director of TVL and ask him why he doesn’t have a firearms licence, to do so every few months, and to threaten to send an inspector, I’d have the police down on me within minutes and an ASBO issued.

The behaviour of TVL is evidently harassment and grounds for a corporate ASBO. Has no-one tried to do this?

]]> By: Mike http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19694 Mike Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:15:21 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19694 As a postman I have to deliver many of these letters from TV licensing. Some of these addresses are equipped with satellite dishes and so are clearly flouting the law. Other addresses may well be occupied by people who genuinely have no television. In both cases, TV licensing are simply wasting their time and (presumably our) money, as the same names crop up again and again, month after month, in my delivery. I totally agree with you that it's time for a rethink on the licence fee, and the digital switchover would be a perfect time to change the method used to fund the BBC. A look at the Wikipedia article on licence fees around the world show many alternatives, such as including it into the electricity bill in Cyprus, or the phone bill in Bosnia. Or maybe a form of subscription could be introduced, which would be much easier to do when all television is digital, those who have a TV but don't pay are simply "cut off" and households who don't have TVs in the first place are not bothered with angry letters. My personal choice would be to fund the BBC through general taxation or government grants, as is done in Australia, but this issue is something we as a nation need to debate, because the present system is not working as well as it might. As a postman I have to deliver many of these letters from TV licensing. Some of these addresses are equipped with satellite dishes and so are clearly flouting the law. Other addresses may well be occupied by people who genuinely have no television. In both cases, TV licensing are simply wasting their time and (presumably our) money, as the same names crop up again and again, month after month, in my delivery.

I totally agree with you that it’s time for a rethink on the licence fee, and the digital switchover would be a perfect time to change the method used to fund the BBC. A look at the Wikipedia article on licence fees around the world show many alternatives, such as including it into the electricity bill in Cyprus, or the phone bill in Bosnia. Or maybe a form of subscription could be introduced, which would be much easier to do when all television is digital, those who have a TV but don’t pay are simply “cut off” and households who don’t have TVs in the first place are not bothered with angry letters.

My personal choice would be to fund the BBC through general taxation or government grants, as is done in Australia, but this issue is something we as a nation need to debate, because the present system is not working as well as it might.

]]> By: Alison Saville http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19691 Alison Saville Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:29 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19691 If the voters of the United Kingdom took time to think about the serious issues of our time, and if people with a genuine concern for our nation's welfare as well as the necessary talent to represent us in Parliament were to stand as candidates and be elected as its MPs, Mr Redwood would soon be in his rightful place at the helm of a seriously conservative political party, which would find itself elected and in a position to tackle the wrongs we are all aware of; and under his leadership that party would get this country on to the right track towards a prosperous and secure future. Sorry, just dreaming. If the voters of the United Kingdom took time to think about the serious issues of our time, and if people with a genuine concern for our nation’s welfare as well as the necessary talent to represent us in Parliament were to stand as candidates and be elected as its MPs, Mr Redwood would soon be in his rightful place at the helm of a seriously conservative political party, which would find itself elected and in a position to tackle the wrongs we are all aware of; and under his leadership that party would get this country on to the right track towards a prosperous and secure future.

Sorry, just dreaming.

]]> By: Tony Makara http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19685 Tony Makara Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:58:53 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/04/27/1028/#comment-19685 The BBC must be privatized, a Conservative government must have the guts to do this. The licence fee is no more than a tax to subsidize a state-sanctioned broadcaster. Even the public information films 'reminding' people to buy a licence carry an ominous, threatening, statist tone. "We know where you live" "Its all on the database" etc. We need a Conservative government to liberate us from this tv-tax, we don't want the BBC, we don't need the BBC and its time to cut the cord on state-sanctioned broadcasting. The BBC must be privatized, a Conservative government must have the guts to do this. The licence fee is no more than a tax to subsidize a state-sanctioned broadcaster. Even the public information films ‘reminding’ people to buy a licence carry an ominous, threatening, statist tone. “We know where you live” “Its all on the database” etc. We need a Conservative government to liberate us from this tv-tax, we don’t want the BBC, we don’t need the BBC and its time to cut the cord on state-sanctioned broadcasting.

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