Forest at the Labour conference
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 
We spent yesterday morning handing out Save Our Pubs & Clubs: AmendTheSmokingBan.com beer mats to delegates at the Labour conference in Brighton. The response was mixed. One or two expressed approval for the campaign; some handed their beer mats back. The majority were either overwhelmed by the number of flyers that were being handed out by various groups or they kept their heads down as they scurried past.
("Think of the forests," muttered one delegate as she refused the offer of another piece of paper. Dennis Skinner, the infamous "Beast of Bolsover", accepted a beer mat but then commented, "I never go in pubs". That's the spirit!)
After lunch we were joined by publican Charlotte Maynard and bar worker Nicky Till (above, in the yellow SOPAC t-shirts) whose backstreet boozer (their words) has lost business since the introduction of the smoking ban. Neither Charlotte nor Nicky smoke and they volunteered the information that it never bothered them when customers did smoke indoors.
Several other publicans expressed support for the campaign but couldn't leave their pubs to join us on the seafront. Meanwhile my colleague Karen signed up twelve publicans in the centre of Brighton in just over an hour, so I am confident we can develop quite an active group on the south coast.
The ad van with our campaign message (above) will be patrolling the road outside the conference centre for another two days.
Next stop: Manchester.
Reader Comments (19)
"I never go in pubs" - there speaks a true champion of the working classes.
"Think of the forests"
Think of the country you've ruined. The lies, the broken promises, the smears, the stealing, the petty-minded interfering, your appalling war, the lack of principle amongst those promoted to high office by a psychopathic PM and then stick your smug assertion of a moral highground up your arse. Luv.
Thank you...thank you...thank you...to all you good people who are taking the message directly to the morons who are blighting my life.
The cold winter looms ahead and, as a pensioner with arthritis, I shall be confined to the house for next 6 months as I just cannot cope with going out into the cold for a puff whenever I want to meet my friends and have a drink at my local club.
It's inhuman, undignified and completely unnecessary.
Once again, thank you for all you are doing.
With very best wishes...
Ellie
Ellie, I didn't use your name but I have copied your post to my Conservative MP and added the following comment to him:'Last time we corresponded, I recall that you felt that the smoking ban did not compare with the recession as an election issue. All people are asking for is that pubs and clubs should have the chance to decide themselves where or whether to allow smoking. This issue is about fair play and simple live and let live, and it is linked with a spreading encroachment on freedoms in many areas. It is the deepest of election issues. Unless the Conservatives get to grips with it they are not only letting down the party, they are failing the nation.'
Norman,
Thank you for your response to my rant and I am delighted that you have forwarded my comments to your Conservative MP.
I very rarely leave comments online but I feel so passionate about this issue because the ban is completely unjustified and severely impacts upon our social life.
Therefore, I very much appreciate your support and thank you once again.
Kind regards...
Ellie
Its marvellous what Forest are doing taking to the streets to bring smokers/pubs plight to people's mind.
The reaction of the people so far is appaling to read.
Just goes to show how the majority have lost the plot and have been turned into sanitised robots.
Onwards and upwards to Manchester you guys and the best of luck to you all.
Were there many smoking delegates, Simon?
"Several other publicans expressed support for the campaign but couldn't leave their pubs to join us on the seafront."
Therein lies the problem which has dogged any campaign to amend the ban, apathy and inactivity from the majority of UK pub landlords, unlike their Dutch and German counterparts who organised themsleves and fought vigorously to maintain choice.
Perhaps the campaign to save these people's businesses should be renamed "God helps those who help themselves?"
A great Hallo from Holland ! Yesterday I saw G.B on the telly here and I was sick to my stomach.
I am in awe that you still fight the good cause !
As you know here in Holland we won two cases BUT I am afraid of what our government will do
They have 2 choices now
# All people have a right to a smoke free environment including customers This will open the door to Californian situations cause
where is the line In the pub /Outside the pub/ In your garden / on the street ? If they choose to bend the law that way there will be no judges enough.
The other option is Just give in to the loophole If you have no employees There is no need to protect them and you can allow smoking
This is consistent with the 2 verdicts
And this is what I hope for !
For you in the UK I can only say
There is nothing to loose for the pub owners
They are going under anyway so why not whit a big cigar ? Why did the pub owners comply ? I know the fine was very high But they never could have closed all pubs no ?
Love from Anna
thank you for taking a stand to represent all of those people, whom, like me, feel like theyr voice is too feeble to be taken any notice of. by gathering our strenghts toghether in an organised fashion, I'm confident tyhe message will get louder.
thank you . we're with you.
Simon Clark is the ultimate hypocrite and parasite. He has feathered his own nest and when asked to help the one truly independent organisation fighting for real choice, Freedom to Choose he refused. Now he claims to want to support the British Pub, and take the message to the regions. Simon you care for no one except yourself.
God bless you all!! Keep up the great work!
Kick the butt out of labor the party of PROHIBITION. Then repeal the bans........simple as that.
Percentage of Labour MPs who voted FOR the total smoking ban (despite CHOICE being on their manifesto) = 85%.
Percentage of Liberal MPs who voted FOR the total smoking ban = 85%
Percentage of Scottish MPs who voted FOR the (ENGLISH) total smoking ban = 85%
Percentage of Conservative MPs who voted FOR the total smoking ban = 25%
(Source: I personally counted every single vote from Hansard).
I have always been a floating voter, but the above figures will feature LARGE in my voting choices from now and until this discriminatory ban is ameliorated.
Robert Feal Martinez - we are too few voices already. Is it really worth squabbling over which organisation is bigger, better, more independent ...?
We need ALL pro-choice voices no matter what class, political view, or funding. Thank God for F2C, Forest, Liberal Vision, the Freedom Society - and even bloody UKIP!!!
We smokers need you all - please do not endanger this fight and play into the antis' hands because of silly squabbles!
@Robert Feal Martinez
Speaking personally I do not think this is the forum to discuss disagreements, valid or invalid. As Patsy right says if we are divided this will only weaken our case.
I have to agree Pat.
F2C's focus is fighting anti-tobacco, so we have to welcome these pro-choice activities.
I and many colleagues joined this fight because of feeling let down by several parties pre-Feb 14th 2006,rather than what has happened since.
But what's done is done. The only way to reverse the carnage caused by that fateful day is for all pro-choicers to fight prohibition, not each other.
Simon
Don't just stop at Brighton. Take your van all along the coast, especially Thanet!
I think RFM got out of the wrong side that morning. I have met Robert and he is a very sharp, intellingent chap.Needless to say I am disappointed with his comment.