There are question marks over the future of the BBC licence fee (Image: GETTY)

       BBC licence fee payers should be given shares in the corporation and be allowed to appoint its bosses, a Tory MP has said.

       Sir John Redwood made the call for the licence fee shake-up in a pamphlet promoting an "ownership revolution" for the Centre for Policy Studies centre-right think tank.

       The Thatcherite Conservative MP said ownership is a "core philosophical dividing line" between conservatism and socialism.

       He described the BBC as "the most obvious state service that could be transformed by wider ownership".

       Criticising the "licence fee tax model", he said the broadcaster's revenues are being "eroded" by people switching to streaming services.

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       Sir John also said the BBC is losing viewers as it is "often out of touch with much of its potential audience" due to a focus on "a narrow set of attitudes and interests".

       He said it has become "a major voice of the net zero movement, a robust supporter of international governance and a doughty opponent of populism".

       Sir John said: "The best way to resolve this surely is to ask the people, the present and potential users of the service, what service they would like, which parts should be free and how it all should be paid for.

       "The Government should therefore announce that the BBC will be given to the licence-payers.

       "On a stated date anyone who is paying a licence fee would be granted a single share in the BBC, which would be newly incorporated to reflect its changed ownership."

       He went on: "The Government would also announce a phased reduction in the licence fee over a suitable transition period, and would decriminalise non-payment, making the licence fee a normal service charge.

       "The BBC could charge more for stated services where people consented to pay. "

       Sir John said it would be up to shareholders to pick board members and the director general.

       Under the proposal, the corporation could pitch for a continuing government grant for a public broadcasting element or sell new shares to raise capital in the future.

       A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC’s existing charter runs until the end of 2027, beyond that it is right there is a discussion on whether, and if, the licence fee needs to evolve.

       "We look forward to a healthy public debate that ensures the BBC is best-equipped to continue delivering for audiences in the UK and around the world.”

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