Family brewers launch rival election manifesto
The Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) has issued its own election manifesto in an attempt to make the three main parties respond to its calls for help for the British brewing industry.
IFBB vice-chairman Stuart Neame said: "In the last 100 years the number of brewers in the UK has reduced from 6,400 to 84 and pubs are closing at the rate of six per week.
"Unless the next government takes note of our pleas then we are in real danger of losing our heritage of British owned and brewed beers and the world-famous British pub."
Demands in the IFBB's manifesto include:
- a reduction of tax on beer by 8p per pint. The IFBB claims this will stamp out bootlegging, create up to 60,000 jobs over the next four years and help the British farming industry
- magistrates to retain control of licensing. The IFBB fears giving control to local authorities could jeopardise the future of the community pub
- a reduction in red tape
- help for cask ale. The IFBB wants the Government to look at reducing tax on cask ale to help the industry in the same way as the scotch whisky industry has been helped.
The Conservative Party has also pledged to slash red tape in its Business Manifesto which promises to cut business rates by £200m.
Leader William Hague (pictured) said: "We will set regulatory budgets that limit the burden of red tape that government departments can impose on business, and make sure they come down, year after year.
"The CBI placed excessive regulation at the top of its list of concerns. It is high on the list of mine, too. The problem is particularly acute with small firms."
The Tories would introduce a deregulation commission to tackle red tape, reduce business rates, make some small businesses exempt from certain regulations and abolish the climate change levy.
Meanwhile, publican Alan Hope is leading the Monster Raving Loony Party in its election campaign.
The party has launched a blank manifesto but policies include a different take on the trade's fight for a national ID card by making it compulsory for everyone to carry a small mirror so when asked they can look in the mirror and identify themselves.
In Cannock, Staffordshire, licensee Mick Hames' Laughing Leopardz pub is the base for the breakaway Rock n Roll Loony Party which split from the Monster Raving Loonies after the death of Screaming Lord Sutch.
Mr Hames hopes policies of free sex and beer for pensioners and the building of laughter clinics will appeal to voters when several candidates stand in the Staffordshire County Council elections on June 7.
