Bradshaw expects DEB to make it

15:05 | Thursday January 28, 2010

At the House of Commons reception, which saw Conservative shadow minister for culture Ed Vaizey, Lib Dem culture spokesman Don Foster, Lib Dem peer Lord Clement-Jones and the Tory chairman of the culture select committee John Whittingdale, join more than 100 people on the terrace, Bradshaw also said he believed the Digital Economy Bill would get through despite the limited time left available.

Foster also said he hoped the Government, which has opened a consultation on allowing an exemption to the Licensing Act for venues of a capacity of 100 or less, would join in to support Clement-Jones’ own Live Music Bill. This has now had its second reading is asking for an exemption for premises of up to 200 people and the re-establishment of the two-in-bar rule.

MU general secretary John Smith says he is happy with the way the parliamentary reception went. Smith adds, “It was very well attended and all of the political speakers – Ben Bradshaw, Ed Vaizey and Don Foster – spoke of the importance of music and the arts to the UK Economy. It was a good opportunity for the politicians to meet performers face to face and to hear about the issues that affect them.”