Griffiths: Politicians sent a clear and united message on beer duty

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Griffiths: "On Thursday we sent a strong, clear and united message — Parliament to a man and woman wants the beer tax scrapped"

So that’s it then. All that work, all those signatures collected and MPs emailed and written to, for a three-hour debate in the House of Commons. Was all the blood, sweat and tears worth the effort?

I would categorically say yes. I know there are those who hoped that achieving 100,000 signatures, or securing the debate would miraculously change Government policy, and that the Treasury minister would declare a peace pact over the Government’s war with the brewing industry. Wiser, more experienced heads knew from the outset that things just don’t work like that.

However, to continue the military metaphors, while we haven’t won the war, we have secured a number of victories. To begin with, we can be pleased that for the first time in too long, the issue of beer and pubs commanded some much-needed coverage in the national media. I cannot remember the last time that the plight of the industry warranted a supportive editorial in The Sun or substantial coverage in the red tops, let alone on the BBC or Sky.

Second, trade bodies such as the British Beer & Pub Association and the Society of Independent Brewers, together with the Campaign for Real Ale, ran an effective lobbying exercise. A mass emailing and letter-writing campaign, together with targeted briefings, not only got a large number of MPs into the chamber on a day when the whips office gave them the chance to bunk off early and return to their constituencies, it also meant that the quality of the debate was informed and insightful.

Most importantly, Treasury minister Sajid Javid can be left in no doubt of the views of Parliament. MP after MP got to their feet, not just to praise a local pub or brewer, but to raise valid and important issues.

Amazingly, MPs who usually campaign on the health effects of alcohol stood up and argued the benefits of pubs as a supervised environment to introduce young people to responsible drinking. Others raised the importance of a British manufacturing success story.

That not one MP spoke in favour of the retention of the Government’s beer duty escalator left the minister uncomfortably isolated in the House, a position that is new to the Government. Even over the pasty tax a loyal backbencher could be relied upon to defend the Government.

Finally, I detect a subtle yet important change in tone and position from the Government. Javid was at pains to tell us he was “in listening mode”. He stressed that policy was in constant review, and that he understood the concerns MPs had raised. I may be being overly optimistic, but I think the minister was flashing a bit of ankle, tempting us with what might be to come.

On Thursday we sent a strong, clear and united message — Parliament to a man and woman wants the beer tax scrapped. Let’s see if the minister really was listening.