I’M STANDING UP FOR STRUGGLING PUBS

Labour used its first Opposition Day Debate of 2013 to hold the Tory-led Government to account for failing to back pubs across Britain.  You can read the full debate here http://tinyurl.com/bh95qtz  

Local Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, led the debate to great effect. I backed Toby’s calls to protect local pubs, which means new rules to stem the tide of closures and a fairer relationship between the big pub companies and landlords.

This week, following Labour’s campaign the Tory-Lib Dem Government has finally caved in, announcing it will support some of Labour’s ideas to protect these vital community assets.

Unfortunately, the Government’s foot dragging means that pubs have been closing at too quick a rate – 18 are now closing every week.  These Tories and Lib Dem continue to show how out of touch they are by refusing to back all Labour proposals.  So, in the weeks to come, Labour will continue to keep up the pressure – campaigning to save Britain’s pubs.