Grogan to leave seat at next election

The pub trade is set to lose its biggest supporter in Parliament after the next general election.

Labour MP John Grogan, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and a champion of the pub trade, will not contest his seat in Selby at the next election.

He has cited the boundary changes to the constituency as the reason he will not stand again. The new Selby constituency will include a large number of villages regarded as Tory heartland, making it difficult for Labour to retain the seat.

"The old Selby seat effectively disappears, so I have decided not to contest the new seat," he told The Publican.

"I have no definite plans, but I've not ruled out standing elsewhere."

Grogan, who has held his seat since 1997, was influential in persuading the government to reform the licensing laws. At one time he was one of the "few defendants" of the changes, he said. He has also spoken out in the past against Sky's dominance of televised sport in the UK.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "If John Grogan is not in Parliament at the next election it will be a major loss to the industry because he has not only been a helpful supporter, but also an honest critic of us."

Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, was also full of praise for the MP.

"I think it will be a shame if we no longer have John as our champion. He has been a passionate and articulate supporter of the trade and done it with a sense of humour," he said.

Meanwhile, Grogan has tabled an early day motion pushing for the government and regulators to investigate Sky's £1bn investment in ITV.