The LibDems want to ban the playing of music on mobille phones’ loudspeakers on public transport, with fines of up to £,1000. Other countries have already imposed such bans. Earlier this year a man was fined €200 (£170) by rail staff for making a phone call on loudspeaker in a quiet area of Nantes station in France. To support the proposal, the Lib Dems commissioned polling that revealed 38% of people had experienced people playing loud music from their phones. The polling by Savanta found that 54% of people said they would not feel safe asking someone to turn down their music on public transport, a figure rising to 63% among women. Lisa Smart, the party’s home affairs speaker, said: ‘Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour – and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.’ The Conservatives have said they may support the LibDem amendment. 

All of which shows that some MPs are concerned about piped music. Never has there been a better time to write to your own MP about it!