Now the Tories want to save the pub!
Saturday, February 21, 2009 Now the Tories want to Save The Great British Pub. Last night shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt launched a campaign calling on the Government to cut taxes on lower alcohol drinks such as beer and raising taxes on "problem drinks" like high strength ciders and alcopops.
They also want to enforce existing laws to deal with irresponsible drinkers and premises, trust adults to make informed choices, not punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority, and support the British pub as a vital part of local communities.
I'm beginning to lose count of the number of campaigns that want to save our pubs. There's the high profile Axe The Beer Tax campaign, which is run by the British Beer and Pub Association in association with CAMRA and has the support of the British Institute of Innkeeping and others.
CAMRA meanwhile has its own Save Our Pubs initiative. There's a cheap and cheerful online campaign - also called Save The Great British Pub - which has gained enormous support on Facebook (152,800 members) but has attracted far fewer signatories (55) on its website.
And then there's UKIP which recently launched a campaign to Save The Pub.
No prizes for guessing that only one of these campaigns (UKIP) seriously addresses the issue of the smoking ban and wants the legislation changed. The BBPA? Forget it. The Conservatives? No chance. (Well, not yet.)
The problem, as I have always said, is that UKIP has one MP (a Tory who crossed the floor of the House). After the next election they won't have any. Getting into bed with UKIP just because they support changes to the smoking ban is not the answer. MPs in mainstream parties (who might support us) will run a mile and I can't imagine a UKIP-driven campaign influencing government to change the law - although, to be fair, it may have encouraged the Conservatives to launch their campaign.
What we need is a cross-party initiative that puts the smoking ban at the very heart of the campaign. We're working on it, believe me. Watch this space.
Reader Comments (15)
The govt had better get their heads out of their backsides and do something to save the pub before they get a rock put through the windows of parliament.
I think they're beginning to realise this because if the jobless and the ordinary man has nowhere to rest his head, like he did before the health nazis took over govt and introduced that crazy and inhumane smoking ban in pubs and restaurants, they must realise that the consequences will only come back to haunt them when people start to revolt over the economy.
Much better for themselves if the great unwashed have a place to socialise and gather and so keep them out of harms way.
I thoroughly agree and think you are totally right that you are working towards getting a cross-party initiative that puts the smoking ban at the very heart of the campaign.
Its the only way to do it.
In fairness, UKIP began a beer mat campaign to Save our Pubs even before the smoking ban came into force. They have never waivered in their opposition to the total smoking ban and believe it is up to proprietors to decide how they choose to run their business. UKIP's newly launched campaign is simply to clarify their existing policy and bring it to the attention of any who may still be in doubt.
As to the bald statement above that they will have no MPs in the House of Commons after the next election - watch this space!
Watch, also, the results of the EU Parliamentary elections and Council elections in June 2009.
I, for one, am putting my effort where my mouth is and am at present under consideration by UKIP as prospective councillor for my own area, Shepway, in Kent.
The Tories certainly need to get their act together regarding the smoking ban if they hope to mop up the lost Labour votes.
"What we need is a cross-party initiative..."
This makes a lot of sense, after all, the introduction of the blanket ban became a 'cross-party initiative' when it was put to a free vote.
Well done Margot, hope you are successful.
Did you see where a BNP canditate has won a council seat in Kent!!
Sign of the times I would say.
Thanks Ann. Yes, definitely a sign of the times!
Pity it was only a three horse race but clearly showed a vote of no confidence in the two major parties.
Good luck Margot!!
I wrote to my Conservative MP (ordinary post) as follows. I won't name him here because I didn't tell him I might quote him. (I didn't know whether I would.) My letter said:
'Does the Conservative Party consider it reasonable to forbid private clubs and also pubs making separate provision for people who want to smoke while on their air-conditioned premises, and to prevent employees willing to do so, from serving them?
'I would be grateful if you would treat this as a question about the principle as implied in that question, rather than referring to disputable statistics and previous Parliamentary votes.'
This was the reply: 'This is a difficult area, but I know that many people now feel more inclined to visit pubs and clubs, for instance, because they do not have to worry about the effects of second-hand smoke.
'Referring to your question about principle, I have yet to be convinced that passive smoking is not harmful, when a considerable body of scientific evidence suggests a link between second-hand smoke and adverse health effects.
'I do believe that given the obvious health damage of smoking, we must try to support people who want to give up the habit. It is particularly important to do all we can to prevent children from beginning to smoke, and work to make those living in deprived areas, where larger numbers of people smoke and life expectancies can be up to ten years shorter, aware of the inherent health risks involved.
'I can assure you that I will continue to monitor this situation carefully, and believe strongly that this is one area where a careful balance must be struck. I remain to be convinced, for instance, that banning the display of tobacco in shops will have the effect of reducing smoking rates.
'Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.' (end letter)
I may write back asking him if he approves of pushing old folk out who survived a war which enabled him to live a free man, out into the cold to enjoy a cigarette. He's probably lost my vote. He's got a safe seat though.
I have now replied by e-mailto my MP (see above) as follows.:
Thank you for your very prompt reply. Maybe you are treating this issue as one of politics rather than principle. The non-smokers you mention are clearly not providing enough custom for pubs to keep going. Because the original option of separate premises or accommodation was rejected, people, some of them old and frail, are driven out into the cold or away altogether. Many of them grew up with tobacco and survived a war which protected our (now diminishing) freedoms. Centuries-old hubs of community life are dying (a strange phenomenon for Conservatives to support). Social isolation has been increased. An age-old custom allowing law-abiding private organisations to decide their own rules has been invaded. The state's hunger for control has been increased in the feeding. Why politics rather than principle? Perhaps the Conservatives fear a campaign of smears from health zealots on the left if they offer an amendment providing for that very Conservative principle: choice. In this legislation Labour has treated its own supporters with contempt. A policy to amend the law would be a vote winner.
Norman. May I quote some of his responses and answer those myself.
"...I know that many people now feel more inclined to visit pubs and clubs..."
Does this include the thousands of non gastric wet led pubs and many working mens clubs which began to suffer within weeks of the ban, and have now closed?
"...a considerable body of scientific evidence suggests a link between second-hand smoke and adverse health effects."
Have you seen these documents yourself? Have you also seen the peer reviewed scientific research, including that sponsored then suppressed by the WHO, which states the opposite - six of these to every one which you mention.
"It is particularly important to do all we can to prevent children from beginning to smoke..."
Preventing children from being influenced to give smoking a try is certainly not helped by seeing more adults smoking outside pubs and other public venues. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that the amount of young people taking up smoking since the ban has increased.
Great letters Norman but would you like all the info on SHS and pub closures? The MP is misinformed.
http://devilskitchen.me.uk/2008/12/passive-smoking-and-salt-mines.html
This is Ireland who's ban started 29/3/06 1500 out of 10,000 pubs have closed. Yes 15%.
http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2008/10/02/story380054.asp
Norman, not forgetting this part of Forest's website.
http://www.forestonline.org/output/Passive-Smoking.aspx
Very well put Norman, that was a great letter.
Its so frustrating to get a reply from such a jack boot who seems to be replying from the twilight zone speaking a different language.
Please god the recession will make the scientific sychobabble fat cats redundant.
My thanks for the comments on my letters above and for the research information. Maybe we are witnessing the start of a New Tory Conformism. Conservative footsoldiers will remain deaf and blind to challenges to the anti-smoking orthodoxy if they are told that is what is good for them and their party. One can only keep trying.
never have and never will smoke in my life .it helped kill my mum but i hate to see people who probably have crap jobs and its one of the few enjoyments they have in life having to stand outside with there drinks haveing a smoke.they did though accept this without a fight.sometimes you have to wonder just how much shit will people take before they say enoughis enough.these prats in power are faschists.(is that how you spell it)
Simon,
As you know I work for UKIP, so what I say has to be seen through that lens, but wake up and smell the coffee.
It is only by threatening them (the big parties that is) in the ballots that the changes we all want to see will come about. Indeed you seem to accept that it may well have been our campaign that prodded the Tories into action at all. But no sign in the Tory campaign of any movement towards your position.
I have an idea, why don't you, in your role at Forest write to all MEP candidates and ask them how they will vote on the European Directive on the smoking ban? This directive, as you know will be going through the European Parliament during the next legislative, and thus those elected on June 4th will be either freeing us to repeal at home. Or making it impossible to repeal national legislation until we leave the EU.
Having written to them all, you might do your supporters a favour by publishing the candidates respondes.