It comes at the same time that Government has become convinced the ability of the UK economy to compete globally in the future relies in large part on the creative industries, of which music plays a crucial part.
It is therefore a time for us to demonstrate that we are capable of pulling together to create and fund a new strategic lobbying body for the whole industry. If we fail to grasp this opportunity, at this time, it will hurt us even more in the future because we have so much more to gain, and so much more to lose.
A political insider recently said ‘The music industry should be scary for us. We should have to sit up and take notice when the industry comes knocking on our door. It’s such a powerful industry. It’s full of stars and glamour. The papers love reporting on it. And it matters to the economy. Yet the reality is that the music industry makes it too easy for us to pick it apart and dismiss its demands. All we have to do is point out that one part of the industry is contradicting what the other is saying, and we’re off the hook.’
A music sector representative body needs to be forceful and strategic. It must sit outside government but work in partnership with it. If we move quickly and set up our single voice, 2007 could be a breakthrough year for the music industry and its relationship with government.
Emma Pike is Chief Executive of British Music Rights
This article originally appeared in M21, published September 2006.