Two more MPs pull pints at their local pub to support the 'MPs in pubs campaign'

The MPs in Pubs campaign, launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group last year, and supported by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, aims to give pub licensees the chance to raise issues important to the trade with their local politicians.

Alun Cairns, Conservative MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, worked a shift at the Brains pub the Three Horseshoes in Peterston-super-Ely with licensees Digby and Jenny Rees. Cairns said: “They have clearly worked hard to make sure the Three Horseshoes is at the centre of village life in Peterston.  

“It was really useful to be able to better understand and gain first-hand experience of the pressures and challenges that our pubs are facing these days.

“Pubs are one of our great British institutions. No other can match the pub for its historical, cultural and social importance. We must protect our pubs, celebrate them, and ensure that they continue to thrive.”

Digby Rees, manager of the Three Horseshoes, said: “We had quite a busy night, which gave Alun a good opportunity to talk to customers.

“We also had time to discuss issues within our industry and Alun understood what effects duty, European red tape and taxes have on our customers.”

Nuneaton Tory MP Marcus Jones pulled pints with licensee Ian Simpson at Punch Taverns’ Chetwynd Arms, a community pub, which has its own Chinese restaurant.

Simpson, licensee at the Nuneaton pub for six years, said: “It was a great opportunity to talk through some of the issues that are affecting the pub trade and the wider small business community.

“The pub was packed and there was a really good atmosphere with the locals engaging in some lively discussion with Jones.”

Jones said: “It was a great evening — I discussed various topical issues with constituents and enjoyed some good-hearted banter.”