Pledges: CAMRA Beer & Cider

#7 in my Pledges series

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

The Email:

I am writing as a resident in your constituency and as a supporter of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) to ask if you will stand up for pubs and pubgoers if you are elected as our next MP?

CAMRA is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit consumer organisation with members across Wales which campaigns to see thriving pubs and quality beer and cider in every community.

I want to see my MP in the next UK Parliament work closely with our local CAMRA branch and local CAMRA members to stand up for consumers - and to make sure local pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider makers can survive and thrive.

CAMRA is asking the next UK Government for action on:

* Fair tax – to recognise and encourage the social benefits of consuming beer and cider in the regulated setting of the community pub.

* Consumer rights – giving pubgoers more information about ingredients, price and dispense at the bar, as well as the right in law to a full pint which is 100% liquid.

* Access to market for independent producers – making sure local breweries and cider producers have a fair crack of the whip.

You can find out more in the full manifesto here: https://camra.org.uk/take-action/general-election-2024/candidates-wales/

CAMRA aren’t asking candidates to sign up to specific pledges, but if you would like to confirm that you will work to champion the interests of consumers and support great local pubs and breweries in our constituency and across Wales then social media assets and a template press release are available here: https://camra.org.uk/candidates2024

I hope I can count on your support to see our local community pubs and breweries thrive if you are elected as our next MP.

My Thoughts

I’m familiar with CAMRA, and have had many a good CAMRA-approved beer! I’m therefore happy to support this campaign and work to champion great local pubs and breweries in our constituency.

I, and the Green Party, understand the value of community life; art, sport and culture are important aspects of well-being in communities, and aid regeneration and sustainability. We will exempt cultural events (including everything from theatre and museum tickets to gigs in local pubs) from paying VAT. It’s part of a wider policy of proposing a range of changes to VAT, reducing it on hard pressed areas such as hospitality and the arts. Likewise the Green Party would devolve decision making to a local level giving local authorities discretionary powers to exempt socially and economically essential local enterprises, such as community pubs, from business rates.

This struck a chord with me in particular: “giving pubgoers more information about ingredients, price and dispense at the bar”. As a vegan I’m used to taking some time to get my first pint, as so few beers include the key information on both ingredients, and elements used in the process (e.g. fining agents, even if they are not present in traceable amounts in the final beer). I always love it when I can easily identify a suitable one and savour it! Of course, I also enjoy the conversations with knowledgeable staff, and really appreciate the ones who know about the breweries and beers.

It’s worth adding that I only drink in small, local, independent pubs. They need our support more than ever. (An additional quirk is that I don’t drink in pubs that have TVs up - I go for a drink and conversation, not to be brain-zapped endlessly. And it is getting harder to find suitable traditional pubs as a result!)

“Access to market for independent producers – making sure local breweries and cider producers have a fair crack of the whip.”

Just as I champion independent pubs, cafes and shops, and locally-produced food, I believe the future is local breweries. I know a guy who runs a small independent bar and have been in discussions with him about his plans to get a second premises where people can drink, but also where some beer will be brewed, with part of the process foregrounded within the bar itself. I love that idea.

Local and independent is always best. It keeps money in the local area, rather than sucking it out of the region and into the pockets of huge conglomerations. You would never see me in a Starbucks or McDonald’s, I can tell you.

To be honest, if I was elected I could imagine discussing these issues with CAMRA over a good pint in a decent pub!

How you can help.

Promoted by Karl Drinkwater (Green Party) at The Gate, Keppoch Street, Cardiff CF24 3JW.