Hospitality Voices founder Andy Lennox, who organised last year’s No Labour MPs campaign, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) a decision on whether to launch the latest action would be made on 11 November.
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Unlike the previous campaign, the proposed ban would target MPs across all political parties who have not publicly supported reducing VAT for hospitality businesses from 20% to 10%.
Lennox said 304 MPs currently support the campaign, according to the group’s online tracker, with those who have not backed a reduction potentially facing bans.
He told the MA he anticipated thousands of pubs could take part, although the final number of participating venues has not yet been confirmed.
Renewed action
The plans follow the Chancellor’s decision not to reduce hospitality VAT in last week’s Budget, despite sustained calls from operators and trade bodies.
Lennox said there was significant anger across the sector following the announcement.
He said: “The government needs to take us seriously and seemingly lobbying MPs and having the support for a VAT cut line with Europe of nearly 300 of them isn’t cutting through. Further action is required.”
Lennox added that the previous No Labour MPs campaign had been successful but argued the latest VAT campaign had not yet had the same impact.
He confirmed other forms of action were also being considered ahead of the decision, while questions raised with the Treasury had yet to receive a response.
Under the proposed arrangements, MPs would be able to avoid or reverse a ban by publicly backing a hospitality VAT reduction.
Previous campaign
The plans follow the national campaign to bar Labour MPs from pubs in December 2025, when operators protested against rising business rates and wider employment costs.
At the time, the MA identified 404 Labour MPs caught up in the backlash, with the movement gaining support from operators across the country.
Jeremy Clarkson also backed the campaign at his Farmer’s Dog pub in Oxfordshire.
Lennox said the latest action would aim to put further pressure on politicians to support the sector, with a decision expected on 11 November.
