Prime Tory units out blueprint for radical overhaul of BBC licence charge

BBC licence charge payers needs to be given shares within the company and be allowed to nominate its bosses, a Tory MP has stated.

Sir John Redwood made the decision for the licence fee shake-up in a pamphlet selling an “ownership revolution” for the Centre for Policy Studies centre-right assume tank.

The Thatcherite Conservative MP stated possession is a “core philosophical dividing line” between conservatism and socialism.

He described the BBC as “the most obvious state service that could be transformed by wider ownership”.

Criticising the “licence fee tax model”, he stated the broadcaster’s revenues are being “eroded” by individuals switching to streaming providers.

Sir John additionally stated the BBC is dropping viewers as it’s “often out of touch with much of its potential audience” as a result of a concentrate on “a narrow set of attitudes and interests”.

He stated it has grow to be “a major voice of the net zero movement, a robust supporter of international governance and a doughty opponent of populism”.

Sir John stated: “The best way to resolve this surely is to ask the people, the present and potential users of the service, what service they would like, which parts should be free and how it all should be paid for.

“The Government ought to subsequently announce that the BBC will probably be given to the licence-payers.

“On a acknowledged date anybody who’s paying a licence charge can be granted a single share within the BBC, which might be newly integrated to mirror its modified possession.”

He went on: “The Government would also announce a phased reduction in the licence fee over a suitable transition period, and would decriminalise non-payment, making the licence fee a normal service charge.

“The BBC may cost extra for acknowledged providers the place individuals consented to pay. “

Sir John said it would be up to shareholders to pick board members and the director general.

Under the proposal, the corporation could pitch for a continuing government grant for a public broadcasting element or sell new shares to raise capital in the future.

A BBC spokesperson stated: “The BBC’s existing charter runs until the end of 2027, beyond that it is right there is a discussion on whether, and if, the licence fee needs to evolve.

“We look forward to a healthy public debate that ensures the BBC is best-equipped to continue delivering for audiences in the UK and around the world.”