UKIP unveils pub manifesto

26-Apr-2010 - Last updated on 27-Aug-2011 at 07:33 GMT

Farage: wants choice on smoking ban

UKIP has dubbed itself the "party of the pub" after unveiling a wide-ranging pub manifesto, which calls for an investigation into beer pricing.

UKIP has dubbed itself the "party of the pub" after unveiling a wide-ranging pub manifesto, which calls for a Royal Commission to investigate beer pricing and amendments to the smoking ban.

Royal Commissions are ad hoc advisory committees established by the Government to investigate non-party political issues.

The party said the Commission would investigate supermarket pricing as well as limiting tied beer prices to 10% above freetrade prices and insisting on a single price list for all tenants.

"This could ensure transparency in the wholesale marketplace and a level playing field for all tenants. The Royal Commission should also evaluate the pros and cons of abolishing the tie altogether, weighing the advantages of removing monopolistic control or greater pub independence and pricing against the potential threat of further undesirable pub losses without pubco support."

Smoking

UKIP also calls for amendments to the smoking ban, which would allow licensees to decide if they wanted to allow smoking in the whole pub, a well ventilated smoking room or to be completely no smoking.

"Whilst UKIP does not like prohibitions and bans in general, UKIP does recognise that the smoking ban has been popular amongst certain groups, such as families and those wishing to eat out in pubs," it said. "However, UKIP believes that a more common sense balance is urgently needed.

"UKIP will therefore allow those pubs and clubs very seriously damaged by the ban to make alternative arrangements for smokers within agreed guidelines."

UKIP also calls for:

• Cuts on draught beer duty

• Reduction in business rates

• Removal of RPI and upwards only rent clauses

• Increased funding for Pub is the Hub

• Return of licensing to the magistrates

• Fairer rates from Sky

"It's a strong and long-held belief of mine that pubs matter; they matter in the sense of community and when they disappear the community loses something very special," said chief spokesman Nigel Farage. "It's not a tangible thing you can put a price on.

"It fascinates me that our pubs are the envy of the world and are now being directly threatened. I want to fight, raise a voice and, if I can, to try and help."

• Download: UKIP: Pubs & Smoking.