UKIP promises to end the TV License

[Denver]

If – and it's a humongous 'if' – UKIP were to triumph in next month's general election, one thing you could kiss goodbye to would be the BBC's licence fee.

Announcing the policy yesterday (May 3), the party's economics and media spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said that the licence fee would be scrapped and replaced with a subscription model and advertising under UKIP.

So what's their reasoning?

Slamming the licence fee as a "television tax" (via The Telegraph), Patrick argued that if the idea people had to pay to watch telly was introduced today, it would be 'laughed off' as a policy that has more "in common with the politics of North Korea than a modern liberal democracy".

Erm, we're not quite sure that's a fair comparison, Patrick.

Insisting that the policy was "not particularly about money", Patrick added that it was about giving consumers the choice to pay a licence fee – which they already have.

The licence fee, which is sometimes a source of contention among viewers, was raised for the first time in seven years last month – not by much, though.

The price to pay for wanting to watch BBC channels on both your TV and online increased from £145.50 to £147.00 on April 1.

The price hike (if we can call it that) came months after the BBC closed a licence fee loophole that allowed anyone, even those without a licence, to watch programmes on iPlayer after they'd aired.

www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a827532/bbc-licence-fee-would-be-scrapped-under-ukip/

[Cherie]

I'd rather pay 3.00 a week than watch a load of ads

[Withano]

I think its a good policy (for purely selfish reasons), I can fastforward the ads. But like, it is UKIP, one good policy doesnt begin to cancel out their 50 terrible ones.

[MB.]

UKIP TV sounds like a right laugh

[Tom4784]

I think its a good policy (for purely selfish reasons), I can fastforward the ads. But like, it is UKIP, one good policy doesnt begin to cancel out their 50 terrible ones.

Pretty much.

They'd have to toss out their policies and most of their members and rebuild themselves from the ground up for me to ever consider voting for them.

[Brillopad]

I think its a good policy (for purely selfish reasons), I can fastforward the ads. But like, it is UKIP, one good policy doesnt begin to cancel out their 50 terrible ones.

Why does that remind me of the juicy carrot dangled by Corbyn. Four extra bank holidays was a good attempt to distract from all the totally irresponsible, terrible labour policies.

[Jack_]

Another stupid policy from a stupid party

The BBC is up there with the NHS as one of this country's greatest institutions, both being torn apart by the Tory government

[Tom4784]

Why does that remind me of the juicy carrot dangled by Corbyn. Four extra bank holidays was a good attempt to distract from all the totally irresponsible, terrible labour policies.

What terrible policies are you speaking of?

I don't think I've seen anything from the Labour side that is as dangerous to the average UK citizen as the Tory attitude towards public services.

[ebandit]

...........hope never to watch another BBC programme again in my life

..........help me out....don't vote UKIP.......don't pay license fee............and watch them
both fold

Mark L

[joeysteele]

I'd love to see the TV Licence scrapped but could never vote UKIP.
So will pass.

[Brillopad]

What terrible policies are you speaking of?

I don't think I've seen anything from the Labour side that is as dangerous to the average UK citizen as the Tory attitude towards public services.

Er no nuclear weapons and open borders for starters.

[Tom4784]

Er no nuclear weapons and open borders for starters.

Nuclear weapons are a moneysink that serve no purpose than than the threat of mutual assured destruction. We spend a ridiculous amount of money on what are essentially doomsday devices. I'd be all for tearing down Trident to only it's essential defensive based operations. Anti-Nuclear weapon technology is important, but Nuclear weapons? They are a waste.

I can't find any recent evidence to suggest that Corbyn or any major Labour party member wants Open Borders. The most recent interview I can find (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38561501] has Corbyn championing a moderate approach to the subject of EU immigration.

[user104658]

I likes Doctor Who.

The entirety of the rest of the BBC can **** off. Like literally, go off air forever. I wouldn't even notice, let alone care.

[Scarlett.]

Why does that remind me of the juicy carrot dangled by Corbyn. Four extra bank holidays was a good attempt to distract from all the totally irresponsible, terrible labour policies.

Sounds similar to strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership.

[Kizzy]

Er no nuclear weapons and open borders for starters.

No nuclear weapons and open borders are not election policies.

[joeysteele]

No nuclear weapons and open borders are not election policies.

Exactly,indeed they are not Kizzy.

[Cherie]

I likes Doctor Who.

The entirety of the rest of the BBC can **** off. Like literally, go off air forever. I wouldn't even notice, let alone care.

Peter Kayes car share is worth the fee on its own

[user104658]

Peter Kayes car share is worth the fee on its own
No ta

[user104658]

BBC was good when it had non British stuff like Neighbours 5.35pm BBC1 after newsround in 4:3 420i feel the force. And Buffy on BBC 2 on Thursday evenings. But then it went all "British content only" and... Lame. Other than the good Doctor, the only British channel that has ever produced decent quality original telly is Ch4 back in the day.

I mean obviously there used to be gems like Byker Grove too, but then they ****ed off all of the kids TV to digital so you don't get masterpieces like that any more. I say burn it down. And salt the earth.

[Marsh.]

You liked the BBC for Neighbours.

I'm sorry I can't listen to you anymore, GET OUT.

[Brillopad]

Sounds similar to strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership.

Shouting it as loud as the rooftops won't make it true.

Unfortunately strong, stable and leadership are three words not in Corbyn's vocabulary.

[Cherie]

No ta

I bet you are glued to i player, illegally ticking the box to say you do have a licence and watching without parental lock :hehe:

[user104658]

Shouting it as loud as the rooftops won't make it true.

Unfortunately strong, stable and leadership are three words not in Corbyn's vocabulary.
I think the point is that this is what the Conservatives promised at the last election, and then they oversaw Brexit (which, whether you believe its for the best or not, can't be imagined to represent "stability") and then Cameron quit overnight never to be heard from again, and then no one REALLY wanted to take over the role. Strong stable leadership :joker:.

[Livia]

I'd rather pay 3.00 a week than watch a load of ads

I'm with Cherie...

My Dad pays £70 plus per month to watch Sky and there's nothing on there either.

[user104658]

I'm with Cherie...

My Dad pays £70 plus per month to watch Sky and there's nothing on there either.

The major difference, of course, being that he chooses to pay for Sky.

[Wizard.]

A great policy but yeah.. not vote worthy.

[Northern Monkey]

A great policy.The BBC are a disgrace.They hire private companies to bully people and strong arm their way into people's houses like they think they've got a right.People who have no dealings with the BBC and don't use their services do not have to let any private companies into their home.They tell them they don't want their business,They don't want their services and don't appreciate their disgusting aggressive sales tactics but these people intimidate people into letting them through their door.There's examples all over Youtube.
However nowhere near enough from UKIP.Their work is done.

[Kazanne]

Sounds similar to strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership and strong and stable leadership.

Do you have a stutter?:hehe:

[Cherie]

The major difference, of course, being that he chooses to pay for Sky.

And people choose to pay the licence fee or not as well by all accounts

[Cherie]

A great policy.The BBC are a disgrace.They hire private companies to bully people and strong arm their way into people's houses like they think they've got a right.People who have no dealings with the BBC and don't use their services do not have to let any private companies into their home.They tell them they don't want their business,They don't want their services and don't appreciate their disgusting aggressive sales tactics but these people intimidate people into letting them through their door.There's examples all over Youtube.
However nowhere near enough from UKIP.Their work is done.

A lot of those YouTube videos are chavvy home owners trying to intimidate fee collectors doing their job

[Northern Monkey]

A lot of those YouTube videos are chavvy home owners trying to intimidate fee collectors doing their job

And many are'nt.
These private companies have no right to enter your home and neither do the BBC.Even when the police turn up they legally can't assist these thugs.They're there to "keep the peace"
They harrass people for owning a PC because it's possible to pickup BBC programmes.So according to them if you own a computer they have a right to barge into your home.Do you think that's right?Would you let any other staff from a company barge into your home.

[Cherie]

And many are'nt.
These private companies have no right to enter your home and neither do the BBC.Even when the police turn up they legally can't assist these thugs.They're there to "keep the peace"
They harrass people for owning a PC because it's possible to pickup BBC programmes.So according to them if you own a computer they have a right to barge into your home.Do you think that's right?Would you let any other staff from a company barge into your home.

They can't enter your home unless you invite them in, I think most people are aware of that

[user104658]

And people choose to pay the licence fee or not as well by all accounts
No, those of us who have the balls to ignore the bullying and threats can choose. Deciding not to pay the licence fee is not as simple as saying you don't watch TV (which we don't). They will hound you, for years, with threats of criminal action and threats to come and gain entry to your home. Most people will pay up to avoid that hassle whether they watch live TV or not. And that's exactly what they intend.

Have you ever had a letter from Sky ordering you to "prove" that you don't watch Sky? A big red letter threatening to send the heavies round to come into your living room for a gander to see if you have a sky box? No. But that's what happens with the license fee. You can choose to opt out but you will face a barrage of threats and intimidation for doing so.

[Northern Monkey]

They can't enter your home unless you invite them in, I think most people are aware of that

And when you ignore their harassment letters and refuse them entry for long enough they come to your door gang handed with a piece of paper pertaining to be a 'court order' that's not even signed by a judge and try forcing their way in.
Can be extremely distressing for many people.It's disgusting.
Alot of people dont agree with or want the BBC on principle due to the abuse and peado cover ups or some just don't use their services for other reasons.Some don't watch telly at all and don't want to let people into their property.Why should they be bullied into having something they don't want.

[Northern Monkey]

No, those of us who have the balls to ignore the bullying and threats can choose. Deciding not to pay the licence fee is not as simple as saying you don't watch TV (which we don't). They will hound you, for years, with threats of criminal action and threats to come and gain entry to your home. Most people will pay up to avoid that hassle whether they watch live TV or not. And that's exactly what they intend.

Have you ever had a letter from Sky ordering you to "prove" that you don't watch Sky? A big red letter threatening to send the heavies round to come into your living room for a gander to see if you have a sky box? No. But that's what happens with the license fee. You can choose to opt out but you will face a barrage of threats and intimidation for doing so.Exactly.'Opting out' is opening yourself to harassment and bullying.

[JoshBB]

that would be byebye for eurovision then :/

[Cherie]

And when you ignore their harassment letters and refuse them entry for long enough they come to your door gang handed with a piece of paper pertaining to be a 'court order' that's not even signed by a judge and try forcing their way in.
Can be extremely distressing for many people.It's disgusting.
Alot of people dont agree with or want the BBC on principle due to the abuse and peado cover ups or some just don't use their services for other reasons.Some don't watch telly at all and don't want to let people into their property.Why should they be bullied into having something they don't want.

On the other hand there are those who just don't want to pay, how do you separate them?

[Cherie]

that would be byebye for eurovision then :/

Tea

[Denver]

that would be byebye for eurovision then :/

It would still air

[Cherie]

It would still air

Ads every 10 mins it would be a long night :/

[Northern Monkey]

On the other hand there are those who just don't want to pay, how do you separate them?

I'd scrap the 'TV licence' and make the BBC an opt in service rather than 'opt out'

[Denver]

Ads every 10 mins it would be a long night :/

It actually doesnt you know

[Cherie]

I'd scrap the 'TV licence' and make the BBC an opt in service rather than 'opt out'

I would as well and that is how it is heading but in the meantime, we have what we have

[Cherie]

It actually doesnt you know

What?

[Denver]

What?

The breaks they dont have as many on Eurovision

[user104658]

Ads every 10 mins it would be a long night :/
It would be exactly the same length, most countries that show Eurovision have ads. The BBC just fill the gaps with recaps / Norton chattering.

Hasnt been the same since it lost Wogan's sarcasm.

[Cherie]

It would be exactly the same length, most countries that show Eurovision have ads. The BBC just fill the gaps with recaps / Norton chattering.

Hasnt been the same since it lost Wogan's sarcasm.

You watch Eurovision on catch up :conf:

[user104658]

You watch Eurovision on catch up :conf:

Haven't watched it at all since the last time Jedward were in it :hee:

[user104658]

Though I'm pretty sure you can watch it live online somewhere as I distinctly remember watching it when I was in Uni halls, and I didn't have a TV at all there :think:.