Beer for votes!

THE UK goes to the polls next week for the first winter general election in nearly a century.

And if having your say in the future of the country isn’t reason enough to get to the ballot box, there’s also free beer in it for you.

Manchester bar Bock Biere Cafe is promising a free pint of its house lager to anyone who votes in next Thursday’s election.

Iain Hoskins, owner of the Belgian-style bar on Tib Lane, said he wanted to persuade people to get to the polling station rather than to vote for any particular party.

“This is a non-partisan thing,” he said. “It’s not saying vote for this person or that person. We just feel it’s important to vote. It’s a crucial time, whatever side of the political fence you sit on.”

The bar ran the same promotion during the last general election in 2017 as well as during the European Parliament election earlier this year.

All customers have to do to claim their pint is prove they have voted. “The best way we suggest is a selfie outside the polling station with your card in your hand,” Iain said.

“If you had a postal vote and have a way to prove it - like the slip you tear off - we’ll accept that too.”

Taking photos inside a polling station is strongly discouraged by the Electoral Commission, to protect the secrecy of the ballot. It’s illegal to reveal how someone else voted, which could result from a picture snapped inside.

The free pints are only available on election day and will be served at the management’s discretion. Voters can also claim a small glass of wine or a soft drink instead.