Who Will Save the Pub debate for political parties

The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Save the Pub Group will host a Question Time style "Who will Save the Pub" debate for all three main political parties.

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland, chair of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, will take on the David Dimbleby role.

Labour has yet to confirm who will appear for them but Tobias Ellwood for the Conservatives and Don Foster for the Lib Dems will appear on the 16 March.

The event will be by invitation and will include an audience made up of members of the public from CAMRA branches as well as pub trade organisation representatives.

The panel will be asked questions submitted by CAMRA members and others about the key issues facing British pubs.

"We want the great British pub to be seriously on the agenda at the forthcoming general election and it is time for all three main parties to say what they plan to do to support and save this important British institution," said Mulholland.

"Talk, whether in the pub or in parliament is easy, but we need action, so CAMRA and the Save the Pub Group are joining forces to put the party spokespeople on the spot to tell us how they will change things to support and save the pub."

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner added: "There is a growing consensus on the importance of pubs as places to responsibly enjoy a drink and their contribution to community life.

"What is now needed are clear proposals on how the future of well-run community pubs can be be safeguarded."