Politicians urged to get behind pubs

Parliamentary candidates standing in the next general election are being urged to declare their support for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and its “I’m backing the pub” campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to promote pubs as an essential part of community life. It also seeks to highlight the negative effects of increased taxes and regulations on the pub industry.

According to the BBPA, pub closures have recently been running at a record 50 a week.

Candidates from all parties, including the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru, will be sent an email asking for their support.

A list of those MPs who have and have not registered will be posted on the group’s website in March.

More than 100,000 memebers of the public have so far signed up in support of the campaign since its launch last November by the BBPA, backed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

These members of the public will also be encouraged to enlist the aid of and lobby the candidates in their constituencies.

Brigid Simmons, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “More needs to be done to support this essential British institution and the general election is a unique opportunity for candidates of all parties to tell voters how they will do so.”

Rupert Millar, 03.02.10