I was very happy to vote yesterday to end the unfair and unreasonable ‘beer tie’. 

It was clear that the Government hadn’t wanted the bill to go through and I was pleased that – despite this – we defeated the Government 284 votes to 269. 

Yesterday’s vote means that pub tenants can get a fairer deal, they will no longer be required to buy supplies from the companies that own them, they will be free to buy beer on the open market, look for the best prices and have an independent rent review, to ensure the rent they are paying is reasonable.

The Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) said ‘Over the last decade many thousands of pubs have been lost as big pub companies have squeezed them out of existence with sky-high rents and beer prices. With 31 pubs closing a week it is vital that publicans, who are on the frontline of keeping our valued community pubs open, are given protection from heavy handed business practices from the big pubcos’

Our pubs are not only a place for people to meet up or have a meal, they are also an important source of employment, this year in our area there were 56 pubs and one brewery operating – providing jobs and wages, especially for young people. 

Pubs play a vital role in our local community and deserve fair treatment, I was delighted by the result.