Pub trade's MPs regain seats
Prominent pub trade MPs regained their seats in yesterday's election.
While the country waits for the final outcome of the historic vote, those MPs with major influence over the industry won the vote in their constituencies.
This includes Gerry Sutcliffe, licensing minister in the previous Government and MP for Bradford South, and ex-pubs minister John Healey (Wentworth). Alistair Darling, who introduced the infamous alcohol duty escalator as Chancellor, regained his Edinburgh South West seat.
Business, Innovation & Skills Committee chairman Peter Luff (Conservative, Mid Worcestershire) and All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group chairman Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) also remain in power.
Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans, tipped by some to be the next chair of the Parliamentary Beer Group, also retained his seat.
Mulholland celebrated his victory with a trip to the pub.
He tweeted: "Just off to meet the team for a little celebration...now we can enjoy the WharfeBank Tether Blond! My first chance to drink Pool brewed beer!"
The MP later added: "By eck, that's a crackling pint! The water in Pool-in-Wharfedale makes fine beer! First time I try it, is on my re-election night! Poetry!"
Fair Pint spokesman Steve Corbett congratulated Mulholland on his victory. "It's great to see Mr Pub is back," he said.
All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman John Grogan and Janet Dean, Labour MP for the brewing heartland of Burton, did not stand in the election.
In Brighton's Kemptown constituency Simon Kirby, who used to operate pub company C-Side along with Martin Webb, won the seat for the Conservative party with 38% of the vote, and a majority of 1,328 votes. Kirby and his former partner Webb sold the pub company in 2001 for a reported £15m.
Tell us your election story
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Send us your story and pictures by emailing ewan.turney@william-reed.co.uk and don't forget to include the name and location of your pub and contact details.
