Licensee to contest Neil Kinnock's former seat

A frustrated licensee has put himself up as an independent parliamentary candidate in Wales after losing patience with Labour's treatment of pubs.

Paul Taylor, licensee of the Rock in Blackwood, Gwent, has paid the £500 to register as a candidate in the Welsh constituency of Islwyn, which was once Neil Kinnock's seat.

Taylor, who contested the seat in 2001, has produced a manifesto which attacks the current government and lays out his vision on the other hot political issues.

He blames the smoking ban for the record number of pub closures and calls for a relaxation of the legislation.

Taylor, whose pub is owned by Enterprise Inns, also attacks the pubcos for their treatment of licensees. "They force landlords like myself to purchase beer from them at vastly inflated prices," he says.

Taylor told The Publican​: "I'm just so fed up with what the Labour party has done, I thought I'd give it a go myself."

Last time he stood Taylor gained four per cent of the vote - 1,263 votes - and remains realistic about his chances this time.

"This is a Labour stronghold - a donkey could stand here with a Labour sign around its neck and still get elected. But I hope I'll get at least five per cent, then I'll get my £500 back."

The licensee is also planning to drive a campaign van around the constituency, which will display the message: "Can't find a decent party to go to? Vote for Paul Taylor!"