Mulholland calls for industry to unite

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland has urged the industry to unite after details of a British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) shake-up were revealed by The Publican. ​

Mulholland, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, said the trade had suffered because there were too many groups with opposing interests lobbying for the industry.

"It is a dog's breakfast. This is why lobbying has often failed, it has been easy for ministers to pick off different groups."

The future of the BBPA was discussed by members this week following the departure of chief executive Rob Hayward.

Mulholland added his efforts last year to bring trade organisations together to campaign as an industry failed because the BBPA decided to launch its own campaign.

"My attempt last year to bring the many organisations together showed alas that it is difficult, if not impossible, to have a united voice for the trade, and that is made all the harder when there are organisations that are in direct opposition over certain issues and in effect campaigning against each other."

Mulholland called for an organisation to give a voice to licensees.

"It is also increasingly apparent that what is so desperately missing is an organisation to represent licensees and only licensees, all too often the ignored voice of the trade despite being the people actually running the country's pubs. If they had had more power, the pub trade would not be in the mess it currently is."

Finally, he said there was a need for an umbrella council to lobby for both licensees and associations representing pubcos and breweries.

"I would perhaps suggest an umbrella "council" which brings everyone together and lobbies together on shared aims, this would stop the pretence with some organisations that represent parts of the industry trying to present themselves as representing all of it."