Now we know the status quo on the price of holes in the Albert Hall

We do at least seem to have a solution to one of those little societal problems:

Ministers will exempt the holders of Wimbledon debentures from strict new rules on reselling live event tickets.

The exemption will mean that the debenture holders will continue to be able to sell their seats at the championships for tens of thousands of pounds.

As we’ve said we think the whole idea of limiting ticket resales is a nonsense that impoverishes the nation. On the other hand if debentures are not to be covered by such stultifying regulation then debentures will not be covered. Which sorts out the Albert Hall for us:

Robin Hodgson, who is tabling the amendment to the Royal Albert Hall bill, said the trustees were planning to “take more powers to themselves”, potentially creating “nice little earners” by selling unwanted seats on commercial events sites such as Viagogo.

That’s the way debentures work so that will be fine. And Ed Sheeran can stop whining.

So one of those little, societal, questions is now solved, debentures are debentures and are not covered by ticket resale price caps. Whatever you want, whatever you like, whatever you say, you pay your money, you take your choice. As of course we all knew already for we were told the status quo in the classical music of those national treasures, actually in the Albert Hall.

And really, who could argue with the revealed truth from such an eminent source?

Tim Worstall