Tories turn on Tube buskers
The Tories delivered a sudden demand today to stamp out buskers on the Tube.
The hardline call came from shadow London minister Eric Pickles but sparked protests from London Underground, British Transport Police and the Government.
Mr Pickles accused the musicians of creating a threatening and lawless atmosphere - and of being not being very good. He said: "You can't sit on the District line without someone giving a half-remembered rendition of Simon and Garfunkel or an REM hit. It can be quite an assault on the ears.
"There are plenty of notices saying that begging and busking are prohibited. But it's not enforced."
A by-law forbids musicians on the Tube from "touting for or soliciting money". The rule was changed last year to allow busking with written permission, though no permits have yet been granted. The buskers will be judged by experts.
A London Underground survey last year found that most passengers enjoyed listening to the music. Labour MP Chris Smith said: "On the whole, buskers add to the experience of travelling rather than detract from it."
London Transport said staff were too busy dealing with muggers and pickpockets to evict all buskers.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: "It is not really a priority. We try not to arrest them because it takes up too much time."
Two years ago, Steve Norris, the Tory mayoral candidate, said he would allow buskers into stations, but not trains, using the same licensing system which operates in areas like Covent Garden.
Banish buskers?
