Competition minister to launch rock album at Fair Pint pub
The MP who will decide if the beer tie is referred to the Competition Commission is to launch a new charity rock album — at a pub run by Fair Pint benefactor Karl Harrison.
Competition minister Kevin Brennan, on lead guitar and vocals, heads the cross party group MP4.
He is joined by Greg Knight on drums, Ian Cawsey on bass and Pete Wishart on keyboards.
The group was formed in 2004 and has raised over £500,000 for good causes.
MP4 will launch its new charity album "Cross Party" today at Harrison's Bedford venue in Balham.
The pub is supporting the launch in association with Blackberry and hopes that the group will play live at the venue later this year.
"We just couldn't resist supporting the world's only parliamentary rock group and hope that this can be the start of a harmonious relationship between publicans and politicans," said Harrison, who is unable to attend as he will be promoting the South by South West Festival in Austin, Texas.
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish added: "This is a perfect example of what pubs are doing up and down the land, day in day out — providing a valuable platform to promote live music to new audiences and raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process.
"British pubs raised over £1m for charity in the past year alone. We should be applauding and recognising that contribution and helping them to deliver that, not tying them up in red tape.
"Pubs in the community are a much-loved and valuable resource which should be given the freedom and flexibility to operate profitably and responsibly."
