Party Beer united on reform of Pubcos

With the announcement by the Conservative party that a Tory government would offer a free of tie option to tenants by June 2011, all three parties are now committed to driving through reform for the Great British pub.

A spokesman for David Cameron said: “The Conservative Party supports the idea that should the industry fail to deliver self-regulation by June 2011, the Government of the day should end up consulting on putting the Code of Practice on a statutory basis.
"The Government have agreed to this and we are happy with this position.”

Labour's commitment has been re-iterated. It said: "A non-tie option should be available for pub tenants; we will act if the industry fails to make progress on this.”
The manifesto also backs up the recent announcement made by pubs minister John Healey to set aside funding to help communities buy pubs and outlaw the use of restrictive covenants.

The Liberal Democrats were the first party to speak out on the issue, saying they would radically reform the “one-sided” beer tie that has gone “out of control” and is hastening pub closures. It would be part of a package of measures to help pubs that include scrapping rises in beer duty and letting councils grant 50% rate relief for sole pubs in villages.

So one thing is certain now whatever parliament we see after the election is over, reform of the Pubcos system will come!