I have been approached to support pubs and British beer.
Beer is not my personal tipple of choice, but I have friends who enjoy a good beer and are particularly partial to something special from an independent brewer. Having said that, I did try some specialist ale recently which was very tasty.
I recognise the role that a good local pub plays in a community and I do enjoy a traditional British pub with a cosy atmosphere. Lib Dems have always been concerned that tax rises on beer will harm pubs which are already struggling in difficult economic circumstances. They will also damage smaller independent beer breweries. My party tabled an amendment in 2009 to scrap the 2 per cent rise on beer tax and signed a parliamentary motion which called on the Chancellor to use the November pre-budget statement to reverse the 8 per cent beer duty increase.
Having said all that, I am concerned about excessive alcohol consumption and the impact it is having on the heath of individuals and behaviour in pubic places. I want to see a broader and more intelligent response to binge drinking culture and an increased public debate about the role alcohol plays in our society. There are many people who would not put themselves into the ‘binge drinking’ category, but who are consuming unhealthy levels of alcohol. I think we must change our relationship with alcohol.
