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The BBC’s tax on TV viewers is to go up by much less than it demanded, according to press reports.

The BBC asked first for an increase of inflation plus 2.3% per year for seven years. Later it scaled this back to inflation plus 1.8%.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has won an average annual increase of only 2.4% according to the reports, which will be 0.45% below projected inflation. This will mean a cut in funding measured in real terms.

Ms. Jowell has described the state media giant as "one of the most loved and trusted UK institutions". She had hoped to win an annual increase in the licence of fee that was at least as high as inflation.

It is illegal in the UK to watch any TV channel, including satellite and cable channels, without a licence from the BBC. The current fee of £121 gives the Corporation £3bn annually.

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Canadians may soon be able to elect their Senators if Prime Minister Stephen Harper has his way.   

The Canadian constitution requires that Senators be appointed by the Prime Minister and serve until aged 75.  Mr. Harper intends to get around this with a law stating that only those who have won an election should be appointed. Changing the constitution has proved too difficult.  

“Imagine that. After a century and a half, democracy will finally come to the Senate of Canada” declared Mr. Harper according to a Reuters report.  

The Prime Minister also stated that he wanted elections by proportional representation, though that might not be possible at first.

The legislators in Britain’s second chamber are appointed or inherited their seats.  Legislation to change this is expected in the near future. It is feared, however, that a proportion will continue to be appointed and not be accountable to the people.

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The High Court has ruled that a law that prevents political advertising on British TV is not in breach of the right to free speech.

Britain does not have constitutional protection for free speech, nor a written constitution, nor a constitution approved by the people. Political adverts in newspapers and magazines are not illegal.

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