Hung parliament gives hope over supermarket issue

A senior trade figure has argued a hung parliament could be positive as issues with cross-party consensus - such as action on the supermarkets - are more likely to be addressed.

Kate Nicholls, secretary of the Independent Pub Confederation, said a definitive decision would have been preferable, but a hung parliament could mean parties are looking for "quick wins".

"Civil servants will be looking through the party manifestos to see where the language is the same - and the Conservatives and Lib Dems both talk about a ban on below-cost selling," she said.

"We would be looking for it to be included in the first Queen's Speech."

It is unlikely however the beer tie issue will be addressed as the Tories have indicated they agree with Labour to give the pubcos until next summer to reform.

Nicholls also suggests backbench MPs will have more of an influence in a balanced Parliament.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, agreed backbench MPs could have more impact, but helping the pub trade would not be "top of the agenda" for a new government.

"Sorting out the economy will obviously come first," said Simmonds.

If however the Tories are able to take power, Simmonds pointed out they want to call an emergency Budget within 50 days, which would be June 25.

"There's no doubt everyone will have to suffer and we have got to defend beer as a category," she added.

An increase in VAT could also be damaging for the trade, Simmonds said, with food-led pubs being hit in particular.