Online punters hoping leader values hostelries

CAMRA usually asks new party leaders to meet in their own locals to discuss what can be done to safeguard the country’s centuries old tradition of socialising at the bar, and has therefore sent an invitation to Labour’s new leader Keir Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner.

However, because of COVID-19, the invitation is to an online discussion and Q&A with CAMRA members in the campaign’s new virtual pub, the Red (On)Lion to share a pint and discuss the benefits Britain’s locals bring to communities.

The Red (On)Lion – theredonlion.co.uk – has been set up for beer drinkers and pub-goers to get together for a pint, and to help tackle the loneliness and social isolation felt during the Coronavirus lockdown and closure of the nation’s pubs.

As well as calling for help for pubs and their staff during the restrictions, CAMRA is also arguing for radical changes to the beer tax system to reduce the cost of a pub pint and help pubs when they reopen.

CAMRA National chair Nik Antona said: “The Campaign for Real Ale congratulates Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner on being elected as the new leadership team of the Labour Party.

“They will undoubtedly be very busy as the country continues to deal with coronavirus, but we hope they will find time to engage with CAMRA and our 190,000 members about the need to ensure pubs survive this crisis and thrive once we are through it.

“This period of restrictions has made people realise the value of meeting up with friends and family down the pub, and how important community pubs are for tackling loneliness and social isolation.

“Their importance to the economy cannot be overstated either – the pubs and brewing industry alone support 900,000 jobs and contribute £23bn to the UK economy.

“As well as giving pubs and breweries the help they need to survive the period of closures, we also need to plan for when pubs reopen and how we can help stem the rates of pub closures in recent years.

“That’s why CAMRA continues to seek support from all political parties to support the beer and pub industry through this emergency and beyond, including reducing duty on draught beer to get people back into pubs when they reopen.”

THE local CAMRA website can be found by visiting: https://www.southport.camra. org.uk.

Making a case: CAMRA hopes Labour’s new leader Keir Starmer, above, and his team, will join them in pushing for cuts in beer tax by the Chancellor when the coronavirus crisis has passed and pubs reopen