MP's campaign for review of the smoking ban to continue

Brian Binley MP has vowed to continue his campaign for a review of the smoking ban following yesterday's 10-Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons. Brian's office has just issued the following press release. It reads:

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has once again called on the Government to review the smoking ban in pubs and working men’s clubs.

Brian was a sponsor of a Bill in the House of Commons yesterday which called for a review and which was narrowly defeated by 141 votes to 86, a margin of only 55 votes.

Brian said: “The Bill stood little chance of being approved by the House but a Ten Minute Rule Motion gives the tabling Members an opportunity to gauge what support there is for the issue within the House.”

“It is clear that there is a sizeable amount of support in the House for a review of the smoking ban in pubs and clubs. 86 Members voted in favour of a review and my EDM also has a large number of supporters.”

Brian has pledged to continue to push the Government for a review of the smoking ban claiming that:

“The former Health Minister, John Reid MP, promised that a review would be held three years after the implementation of the ban but the Government is now saying that it has no plans to do so. That denial is simply unacceptable.”

“Seven pubs a day are going out of business and 2000 clubs have gone to the wall and there is a drastic need of help. Smokers can be fully accommodated in pubs and clubs in segregated smoking areas or rooms if suitable, effective extraction systems are installed. In other words we can achieve the same result with a less draconian approach whilst not turning all smokers into second class citizens.”

“I also believe strongly that landlords should have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to accommodate smokers within their pubs and as a result this could really help the trade.”

Note: we have just uploaded a short interview that we conducted with Brian at the Great British Pub Awards last month. Click HERE or on the image above.

Update on Thursday, October 14, 2010 by Simon Clark

Thanks to Peter Thurgood for alerting me to a new article posted today by Jonathan Isaby on ConservativeHome. Jonathan has highlighted those Conservative MPs who voted for David Nuttall's motion (77 out of the 86 MPs who voted in favour) and those who voted against (38).

I am delighted to see several of the new intake on the list of Ayes - one or two of whom are destined for great things.

Disappointing though to see Andrew Rosindell among the Noes after he accepted an invitation to our Save The Great British Pub party in Birmingham. Was it something we said?!!

Click HERE to comment.

PS. No surprise to find Nick Boles, Conservative MP and former director of Policy Exchange, in the No lobby. Remember THIS? Makes me spit.

Update on Friday, October 15, 2010 by Simon Clark

Tory MP vows to continue smoke ban fight (Morning Advertiser)

Comments

[Martin V]

"always in debt ................"

One of the subtler control mechanisms. Sometimes, one almost has to admire the ingenuity of these guys. But, then, THEY have more time and energy to think than most of the rest of us.......................................

[Mathew]

This is what's happening folks.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh7qA2tqQ5c

[Eddie Douthwaite]

The purpose of the Bill was to amend the Smoking Ban in ENGLAND yet the following Scottish MPs voted. The " West Lothian Question" surfaces again.

AYES: 2

Harris, Mr Tom LAB South Glasgow

Thurso, John LD Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

NOES: 16
Begg, Miss Anne LAB Aberdeen South

Brown, Mr Russell LAB Dumfries and Galloway

Bruce, rh Malcolm LD Gordon

Clark, Katy LAB North Ayrshire and Arran

Clarke, rh Mr Tom LAB Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill

Connarty, Michael LAB Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Donohoe, Mr Brian H. LAB Central Ayrshire

Doyle, Gemma LAB West Dunbartonshire

Gilmore, Sheila LAB Edinburgh East

Lazarowicz, Mark LAB Edinburgh North and Leith

McCann, Mr Michael LAB East Kilbride.Strathaven and Lesmahagow

Morrice, Graeme LAB Livingston

Nash, Pamela LAB Airdrie and Shotts

Osborne, Sandra LAB Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock

Reid, Mr Alan LD Argyll and Bute

Roy, Lindsay LAB Glenrothes

Sheridan, Jim LAB Paisley and Renfrewshire North

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/chan51.pdf

I HAVEN'T CHECKED IF ANY NORTHERN IRELAND OR WELSH MPs ALSO VOTED ON THIS BILL(THEY HAVE DEVOLVED ASSEMBLIES AS WELL), IT MIGHT PROVE INTERESTING IF SOMEONE COULD.

[Anne Mansfield]

Thanks to David Nuttall and Brian Binley for their splendid efforts.