News

We finished off the canvassing session yesterday in a very pleasant way - by attending the Luton Beer Festival at the Hightown Sports and Arts Centre.

The very well attended event was organized by the Bedfordshire branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) - which I was pleased to rejoin at the event after a nearly 20 year absence.  I was of course, obliged to partake in a few samples along with Kirstie who joined us canvassing for the first time yesterday (I hope she doesn't think this is the way we end EVERY canvassing session!).

Everyone was having a good time. Another good example of the diverse range of activcities in Luton that can bring our community together in a fun, social atmosphere.

I got quizzed by one person what the Tories would do to help save pubs and I was pleased to be able to respond that we have a spcofic 'Save the Great British Pub' campaign that has many of the same aims and goals as CAMRA itself does.

With nearly 6 pubs closing every day of the week, and local pubs under threat, we believe that the Government should be doing more to save the Great British pub.

33% of the price of every pint goes in Beer Tax to the Chancellor. Now the Government plans to increase beer tax further.

We are calling on the Government to help save our pubs and safeguard jobs by:

• Ensuring tax rises focus on problem drinks like high strength ciders and alcopops. This would use the tax system to target binge drinking whilst ensuring that responsible drinkers and the traditional British pub are not unfairly penalised
• Enforcing existing laws to deal firmly with irresponsible drinkers & premises
• Trusting adults to make informed choices, not punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority
• Supporting the British pub as a vital part of local communities.

If you support these goals, then please sign our petition by clicking here.