For several years now, I have held the conviction that the BBC licence fee (or, rather, the Gary Lineker Tax) ought to be abolished. I'm sure many of you on this forum share that sentiment, as it seems to be a regular topic of discussion.

When Boris Johnson was first elected Prime Minister, with Dominic Cummings as his Svengali-in-chief, I was cautiously optimistic that the demise of the BBC was not too far away. Then the pandemic struck.

Since the start of the crisis, the BBC has been the staunchest ally of the government. Never putting official statistics in context. Never questioning the narrative. Never platforming scientists who heartily oppose the lockdown. Always waiting obediently, ready to propagandise.

If I were an unprincipled, invertebrate Prime Minister with a weakness for communistic social science advisers, I would definitely want to retain at my disposal a public broadcaster that could so effectively terrorise the general population.

Who can deny that, as a tool for conditioning the psyche of the populace, the BBC fulfils its remit?

The significance of all this occurred to me approximately six months ago. Why would the government dispose of the BBC when it can be harnessed to such devastating effect?

Boris and his colleagues may float the idea, teasingly, that the BBC's days are numbered. But what is more likely is that this government will not divest itself of its most powerful communications weapon.

I am all for defunding the BBC. But I think we should no longer labour under the delusion that Johnson or any of his successors will ever do it.

It this too pessimistic an analysis, or do others harbour the same feeling a resignation?