Greg Mulholland: Like politicians, publicans can be over-defensive

Related tags Leeds north west North yorkshire

I was in beautiful North Yorkshire and visited two first-rate establishments, the Queen Catherine in Osmotherley and the Spread Eagle in Stokesley,...

I was in beautiful North Yorkshire and visited two first-rate establishments, the Queen Catherine in Osmotherley and the Spread Eagle in Stokesley, both exceptionally well-run pubs with individuality, old-fashioned hospitality and real charm.

I noticed that both these pubs served wine in small, medium measures. How typically no-nonsense Yorkshire, no 'regular' or 'standard' here. Both also offered several wines to choose from. Real choice for the customer and good business sense.

My friend's wife wanted only a small glass of wine. So that's what she got. Yet in many pubs, and most chains, this is a choice no longer available.

Publicans and politicians have a lot in common. We have strong views, like sharing them with people and sometimes we like an argument.

But like politicians, publicans can sometimes be a bit over-defensive.

This happened to me recently with my '10-minute rule' bill on wine measures that I introduced in the House of Commons. I had some very positive reactions, from the trade as well as consumer organisations. There was, however, some spectacular over-reaction from some quarters, who decided that this was the latest assault on poor old publicans.

All the bill wanted to do was to amend weights and measures legislation to say pubs should serve 125ml servings of wine to those who wanted them, but would still be free to serve the larger measures too.

No-one loses out, people get better choice (and there is no need for new glasses as 125ml can be, and often is, served in a 175ml glass).

The idea, of course, was to get people talking about sensible drinking - something the trade supports - as well as widening consumer choice.

It also made the point that it is precisely in our community pubs where sensible drinking happens, unlike the effect of cheap price promotions of both supermarkets and some young persons' venues.

There are key battles to fight and one is to show that the future of sensible, convivial drinking is in the Great British pub, exactly as I as enjoyed at the weekend. The more politicians and publicans can work together to get that message out, the rosier the future, both for pubs and for society, will be.