This page is intended to give some background information on the petition on the Prime Minister's web site about the problems with the licensing of music and dance.

The petition closed on June 11th 2007, with 79,873 signatures.

For information about the problems caused by the Licensing Act, and why it needs fixing, please see this page.

This petition is not to be confused with an earlier e-petition: "Licensing bill effects on live music", which was submitted in 2003 when the act was introduced. The fact that we now need another petition with essentially the same goal is perhaps explained in part by the official response to that earlier petition, which begins by suggesting that the problem is "misinformation" being circulated about the act.

The earlier petition had 83440 signatures - a few thousand more than the one I started. This shows a consistent level of public concern about this issue.

So far the Prime Minister's office has  not produced a response. Let's hope they take this level of concern more seriously than last time.

Music and dance are not the only victims of the Licensing Act. We have had good wishes and support from people similarly affected in the world of amateur dramatics.

Attention from the mainstream press: Libby Purves has written a piece covering the petition very positively.

You may also find it interesting to read this report from the Better Regulation Commission. It's mostly concerned with other aspects of the Licensing act, but it specifically criticises the uncertainty over the definition of incidental music, and suggests that if changes to legislation are needed to resolve this, "they should be initiated immediately."

Many thanks to all who have supported the petition.  In spite of my own acknowledged cynicism, various people have told me that this kind of thing really works. Presumably our politicians have their own share of cynicism, but most of them are there to serve. Let's hope this gets through to them.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing