Email on the BBC from Lib Dems Nick Clegg

I emailed Nick Clegg, my local MP, about the BBC cutbacks via the Save6Music campaign. Here's the very promising reply for those who care about keeping the BBC independent:

Dear Cy

Thank you for contacting me about protecting the BBC and its services.

The Liberal Democrats are staunch supporters of the BBC. We believe it is one of the best Public Service Broadcasters in the world and provides good value for the Licence Fee. The Liberal Democrats have been alone among the major political parties in opposing plans to "top-slice" the
licence fee to pay for other projects, which we believe would undermine the BBC's independence.

We welcome the BBC's commitment to review its services and to focus on the 5 key priorities of providing the best journalism in the world; inspiring knowledge, music and culture; supporting ambitious UK drama and comedy; providing outstanding children's content and putting on events that bring communities and the nation together.

The BBC has over-reached in certain areas and we feel that it may be appropriate for it to scale back some of its activities. The Liberal Democrats have already argued, however, that the BBC appears to be using 6 Music and the Asian Network as "sacrificial lambs" and said that we do
not support moves to axe them. Ultimately any moves to reduce the scope of the BBC's activities or services must be carried out in consultation with licence fee payers.

Thus it would be premature to pledge to oppose all parts of the proposals contained in the review document before consultation has taken place.

In the long term, the Liberal Democrats are fully committed to ensuring the future of public sector broadcasting is properly resourced and to maintaining and strengthening investment in quality programmes. Crucial to this will be reforming the way that Public Service Broadcasting is
regulated in the UK by replacing the BBC Trust with a fully independent Public Service Broadcasting Regulator.

I regret therefore that I am unable to sign the petition in its current form but I can promise that the Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting the BBC as the cornerstone of public service broadcasting in Britain, fully funded and independent from political interference.

Yours sincerely
Nick Clegg MP

Nick Clegg MP
Sheffield Hallam