is the tv Licence fee 'Taxation with out representation' as a tory MP reckons?

Question

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Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, introduced a private bill in the Commons today that would allow people to elect the BBC Trust and vote on other key issues such as pay and programming.

He said at present the BBC is run "like a feudal monarchy".

Introducing his BBC Licence Fee Payers (Voting Rights) Bill during the ten minute rule motion, Halfon said: "The BBC cannot continue to be a kleptocracy indifferent to the public who pay for it."

He called for licence fee payers to have more input about where their priorities for the BBC's output lie.

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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/11/20110208/tpl-licence-fee-is-taxation-without-repe-0a1c1a1.html

do you feel public TV represents you and your views? is it value for money? should the tv tax be universal? do you think the beed is to large an institution?

Answer 1

The BBC is a f**king joke , we are forced to pay for an organisation who's ultra left wing bias is beyond a joke . The BBC used to be the standard that the world looked up to . Now even their documentaries are little more than propaganda and there news readers can't even get basic grammar right .



I think it's a great idea , we all have to pay for it so gives some control . I'm sick of the BBC being the voice of New Labour .

Answer 2

The BBC broke a lot of news that was anti-Labour.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2010/04/bbc_news_online_coverage_of_pr.html



http://johnrentoul.independentminds.livejournal.com/262878.html



If you listen to Radio 4 ,Fridays 18:30, you will hear the best political satire on "The News Quiz" and they slag every political party. (This show gave birth to the TV "Have I got news for you", but is much funnier.)



If every political party accuses the BBC of bias, then the corporation must be doing something right.



It's a bit thick that someone from the Tory party accuses anybody of being a kleptocrat! The whole party is made up of blue-blooded thieves who stole lands from the people/catholic church/Scottish highlanders/ common grazers etc.



I am an atheist but can't think of a better expression than, "God bless the BBC", the MOST respected news organ in the world.



If the BBC were so left wing would it produce shows like "Top Gear" whose repulsive petrol head presenters piss upon every environmental principle?



We are not alone in paying for a TV licence. It's that way in the most of Europe. If you want to see what free TV produces, go to America for one day. The lowest common denominator. That's the kind of sh!t we would have here if not for the fee.



Admittedly the fat-cats at the top get too much money and too many perks.



Nobody forces anyone to watch TV and the radio is free.

Answer 3

Not for him or any other MP it is not. The reason for that is that they don't pay for their TV license. We the taxpayer do that and they claim it through expenses whether for their first, second, third or fourth home.



It is taxation forced on the rest of us by government to keep some of their cronies snouts in the hog trough in the hope the BBC won't slate them in the news programs. The Tories are always going to go against the BBC though as it is money they can't get to in order to fund the Conservative party in any way. Or can they? That is the real question and he may be saying this in the hopes it will help force the BBC to find some way to put funds into their party. Murdoch does this pretty well at the moment and its why the Tories like newscorp more than the BBC.



Point is that this guy is a shyster just like all other MPs and he is only trying to get funding or frighten someone into supporting his and his parties policies. Sort of goes with the job if you know what I mean. He isn't interested in representing the populace, just himself and his party.

Answer 4

in case you dont have a television and purely watch some programmes on your pc by employing skill of i participant then you definately don't want a licence. Thats the regulation on the 2nd whether it style of feels unfair. besides the undeniable fact that, in case you do have a television you may desire to have the licence whether you're saying you do not use it.

Answer 5

Yes he is right and i have not much time for his party a bunch of elitist sell outs the BBC has been proven again and again to be biased to the left obsessed with PC multi culturism favouring the pro eu camp etc. Its a running joke that its the mouthpiece for The Guardian its a urban leftist organisation out of touch with the shires many on the liberal left seem to think PC liberal left is the middle ground so the BBC is not biased when in fact its a minority world view. Its time it was shaken up to represent all of Britain or have its tax removed and become commercial.

Answer 6

Another attack on the BBC from a tory. What a bloody surprise. They wouldn't know balanced reporting, or proportional TV scheduling if it bit them on the arsee. They want it all to be their propaganda and they preferably want to be able to charge you to watch it for their own gain too. Wake up!



The BBC puts out a lot of content. Tons of it. Every interest is catered for (except perhaps that of racists - but even then..).



Btw. Unless you are in mainland Europe (i.e. not the UK), you need a license for freesat.



I'd sooner have the BBC as it is, than a Murdoch dominated media. That guy has his mucky paws in this and he wants your money. Big time.

Answer 7

I don't need a TV licence to watch the BBC, just Freesat!

Answer 8

How does somebody as thick as that get to be an MP?



You can't call a licence fee taxation because it is not compulsory. No-one forces you to buy a telly. You might as well call house insurance taxation without representation.

Answer 9

Yes he pretty much nailed that one.



Edit: I love how the left wingers answering here are completely against democracy when there is a chance people will be able to vote against being force fed left wing vitriol.



You can go to prison for not paying a BBC Tax, you can vote against Murdoch by not buying his product.

Answer 10

Well I have first go at being in charge,I've said it first so I win.

Answer 11

It's legalised extortion that's why the Tories have never liked it!



And they are definitely biased towards the Left wing!!!!!

Answer 12

The Tories hate the BBC like they hate the poor and the NHS, they always go on about the BBC being biased, but have just appointed the former editor of the 10 o'clock news as Cameron's press chief.



The Tories idea of a balanced media is themselves with a megaphone and anyone else with a gag.



It's not about taxation, it's about making sure that the BBC tows the party line.

Answer 13

Yeah

Answer 14

He is right.

They make policy decisions I completely disagree with.

It is far too biased in favor of promoting diversity for my liking.

The imbalance of employees on childrens television and news programs is skewed too far in favor of minorities. Positive discrimination gone haywire.