From the mid 1950s to the late 1980s, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon, as general director and editorial director respectively of the IEA, battled against a conventional wisdom which was hostile to markets. Eventually, by force of argument, they overcame much of the resistance to market ideas,...

Eighteen years ago, Professor Sir Alan Peacock made radical proposals in a government commissioned report on the future funding of the BBC. His proposals involved making subscription to the BBC voluntary, but providing a fund that would finance public service broadcasting on a competitive basis....