Lord David Frost has fumed that Tories should be supporting ‘economic freedom’ as he spoke against a crackdown on touts flogging tickets to acts like Taylor Swift for thousands of pounds
A top Tory has blasted plans to stop online touts ripping off music fans – saying a resale ticket cap is a “silly idea”.
Lord David Frost said rocketing prices of Taylor Swift tickets are “nothing to do with the Government”. The former Brexit negotiator said Conservatives should support “economic freedom” rather than stepping in to prevent online scalpng.
The Government is consulting on ways to crack down on organised touts who resell tickets at vastly inflated prices. Among the ideas being considered is a cap of 30% above a ticket’s face value.
Ministers also want to look at dynamic pricing, which saw the cost of Oasis tickets soar for bemused music lovers last year. MPs previously heard three tickets for a Taylor Swift show last year summer up for £72,000 on a resale site.
Lord Frost told peers: “I am going to break the cosy consensus here. The Conservative Party always used to be, and perhaps still is, the party of markets and economic freedom, so I am going to say what I think a lot of Conservatives might still think, which is, I am afraid, that this is a silly idea and the price of a sporting event or a Taylor Swift concert is nothing to do with the Government and can safely be left to the market.
“Does the minister agree – I suspect she does not, but I will ask her anyway – that the best way of avoiding the problems we have been discussing is to deregulate, legitimise secondary markets and allow individuals who want to participate in cultural events to decide how much they want to pay for them and get access to them accordingly?”
In reply, Labour culture minister Lady Twycross said: “He correctly identifies that I am not going to be in agreement with his views. There is a difference between a market that acts fairly and one that does not.”
She added: “What is happening at the moment with the ticket resale market is not fair and does not reflect the ability of individuals to see the shows or live events they want to see, nor does it give money back to the artists and venues.
“So although this is very much about people accessing tickets at a fair price, it is also about making sure that people do not skim off huge profits through the illegitimate means that we want to regulate. I could not disagree more with Lord Frost.”
The proposals received a warmer reception from Tory former sports minister Lord Moynihan, who said: “I totally share the commitment by the Government to better protect genuine fans through legislation, and I support them.”