After the Tories ‘copied’ the Lib Dems’ plan to introduce fines for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on public transport, we want to know your thoughts on the idea
After the Liberal Democrats floated the idea of making it illegal for people to play music out loud on public transport, the Tories have suggested that on-the-spot fines should be brought in for blasting out tunes on buses and trains. Sir Ed Davey’s party originally looked to introduce £1,000 fines for ‘headphone dodgers’ in April. Now we want to know what YOU think of the idea.
The Conservative party has called for tougher enforcement of rules on trains, slapping headphone dodgers with on-the-spot fines. It comes after the Lib Dems sought to amend the Bus Services Bill – saying that playing music out loud on public transport could be easily prohibited using existing railway byelaws, which outlaw littering, spitting and using offensive language.
These rules could be enforced on buses as well by local authorities if current antisocial behaviour laws are strengthened, Sir Ed Davey’s party argued in April. Under their proposed changes, anyone found breaching the ban could face a huge fine of up to £1,000.
Former Conservative chairman Richard Holden said passengers should not have to “endure somebody else’s choice of crap music”. He said: “Inconsiderate and obnoxious behaviour blights the lives of the travelling public. Taking public transport shouldn’t mean having to endure somebody else’s choice of crap music blasted through a speaker at full blast.”
A spokesman for leader Sir Ed Davey quipped: “At least the Conservatives are right about this, but it is perhaps ironic that Kemi Badenoch, who revealed that she told on someone cheating in an exam, is now peeking at our answers.”
Back in April, Lisa Smart, Lib Dems’ spokesperson for home affairs, argued that people “dread their daily commute” due to antisocial behaviour, saying “headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.” Smart said: “Whether you’re heading to work, taking your kids to school, or simply trying to enjoy a moment of peace, everyone deserves to feel safe and respected on public transport. If you can’t see the poll below, click here.
“Time and time again, I hear from people who say they feel too intimidated to speak up when someone is blasting music or other content from a phone or speaker.”
A poll by the Lib Dems found nearly four in ten people had experienced the scourge of music or videos being played out loud during their journey. The poll by Sevanta of 2,174 adults also found 63% of women and 46% of men would not feel comfortable confronting loud passengers.
The party are pushing for stronger measures against individuals who display blatant disregard for others by playing loud music in shared spaces, including fines of up to £1,000. They said: “It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.”
According to a Home Office source in April, officials have been instructed to work swiftly to determine the most effective way to utilise fines in tackling antisocial behaviour. They stated: “Under the Tories, on-the-spot fines for antisocial behaviour fell into practical disuse from the record levels set under the last Labour government.
“There is now work to be done to understand how and where these kind of fines can be most useful and the Home Secretary has instructed her officials to carry out this analysis at pace, so that we can give the police the fullest range of powers possible to take effective action against anti-social behaviour, whatever form it takes and wherever it occurs.”
What do you think? Should people be fined for playing music out loud on public transport? Take our poll and have your say in the comments below.
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