UK Pub Landlords Initiate Boycott of Labour MPs Amid Taxation Dispute
Over 250 pubs, restaurants, and hotels nationwide, including the Old Thatch in Dorset, have joined a campaign to bar Labour MPs from their premises citing dissatisfaction with tax rates affecting the hospitality industry.
The campaign, initiated by Dorset publican James Fowler with the first 'No Labour MPs' stickers at the Larderhouse in Bournemouth, aims to highlight grievances with the industry's treatment under Labour's taxation policies. Bournemouth East Labour MP Tom Hayes criticized the stickers for undermining a culture of inclusivity and complicating advocacy for local businesses.
Landlord Andy Lennox explained the boycott began due to the government's failure to address the hospitality sector's needs and referenced efforts such as campaigns contacting MPs and letters to the Chancellor. Lennox argued that Labour's taxation policies have harmed hospitality and advocated for a 5% VAT cut, which the Liberal Democrats also support, to boost growth and profitability.
Downing Street confirmed government backing for pubs amid this dispute, emphasizing that Chancellor initiatives include a £4.3bn support package aimed at reducing what would have been a 45% rise in hospitality bills next year to approximately 4%. The support package retains the draught beer duty cut, eases pavement licensing rules and events, and caps corporation tax.
Government measures also address business rates, capping rate increases at 15% for most properties and £800 for the smallest. From April, new permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors will be introduced, the lowest in over 30 years. Transitional relief is also in place; however, concerns remain as many businesses may still face significant bills due to rateable value changes and the phasing out of a Covid-era 40% discount. UKHospitality has disputed the government's figures concerning the support package's impact.
