CAMRA beer duty rally: MPs and speakers give their views on the beer duty escalator
Colin Valentine, CAMRA national chairman
"What we have done today has been very special we would have made a difference no matter what happens to the beer duty escalator.
"We have brought to the attention of MPs in the Government the nonsense of taxing a product that is indigenous to this country. We have highlighted the economic nonsense of taxing jobs out of existence.
"Today is not the end of the process. Our job now is to keep the pressure on MPs to ensure they keep the pressure on the Treasury."
Charlotte Leslie, MP for Bristol North West
"Myself and other MPs like me are making the case to the Treasury that the beer duty escalator is a false economy. The beer duty escalator must be scrapped."
Greg Mullholland MP and chairman of All-party Parliamentary Beer Save the Pub Group
"As a Leeds CAMRA member and Leeds North West constituency MP and I had a very positive meeting when I lobbied myself and I can tell you I am behind the scrapping of the beer duty escalator.
"You believe in our great national drink and you believe in the importance of the great British pub. You are some of the best campaigners in the country.
"We have an opportunity here and today has been incredibly powerful."
Mike Benner, CAMRA chief executive
"The message is right out there it is all over the internet – everybody knows what we think about beer tax. There must be 1,000 people in this hall and I am very proud to be involved in this incredible campaign. I think the 12/12/2012 is going to be a day in this country that everyone remembers. We have managed to lobby around 300 MPs today.
"Every pub that closes threatens to rip the heart out of the community. I am fed up of seeing pubs close."
Andrew Griffiths, MP for Burton and chairman of All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group
"Today we have sent a strong message to MPs, to Parliament and the Government that we love our beer and we love our pubs and we are going to fight to defend it.
"I am here because I recognise the importance of brewing and pubs to our economy. I recognise the importance of the community pubs in our towns, cities and villages.
Whilst we drink 13% of Europe’s beer we pay 40% of all its taxes. We should scrap the beer duty escalator.
"The Government can be in no doubt about what we think about this policy."
Caroline Nokes MP for Romsey and Southampton North
"Whilst I am not a beer drinker I recognise the importance of pubs in our community.
"I know the damage the escalator is doing and I know the good that you are doing. Some of your members have travelled hundreds of miles to get here.
"Treasury minister Savid Javid says 'I am in listening mode' - make him listen with some really loud voices."
Duncan Sambrook, Sambrook's Brewery
"I am absolutely gobsmacked by the support I see around this room. It is a great tribute to you all for coming down to support this campaign.
"We have to get behind this campaign and let the Government know how proud we are of our pubs.
"With a little bit of persuasion we will start to see more pubs opening each week."
Hazel Blears, MP for Salford
"The beer duty escalator is not doing the job it was designed to do. It is not getting the money in, it is not sensible. It is not getting the revenue in - how stupid is that?
"We need to keep fighting and keep at it and we will change their minds because it is a stupid think to do.
"You are an inspiration."
