650 Election Candidates sign up to support CAMRA Charter - 04/05/10
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Press Release
650 Election Candidates demand reform of the beer tie
Issued: Tuesday May 4th 2010
Status: For immediate use
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CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is today delighted to announce that over 650 election candidates - that's one for each constituency in the UK - have committed to reforming 'beer tie' arrangements in the UK pubs industry, one of the key causes of high beer prices and wholesale pub closures. This is particularly important at a time when over 5 pubs a day continue to close across the UK. The closures are due in part to large pub companies exploiting tie arrangements, which force tied publicans to buy their beer at around 50% above free market prices.
Reforming the beer tie is one of five key commitments that CAMRA has asked election candidates to sign up to. There has been an unprecedented demonstration of support and interest in the issue of the beer tie, rebalancing alcohol taxation and supporting pubs as a solution to alcohol misuse from candidates hoping to be elected on Thursday.
On the basis of current polling almost 180 of the candidates who have signed up are likely to be elected. During the next parliament CAMRA will be calling on each of the elected candidates to back up their commitment to "reform the beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers" with action on issues such as a legally binding code of conduct, a guest beer right and a free of tie option for tied tenants.
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
'Such positive support for the core aims of CAMRA's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter shows that to secure a sustainable future for British pubs and prevent countless local communities from losing their social hub, reform of the 'beer tie' is urgently required. The large pub companies won't be able to escape the growing political pressure for reform.
'The widespread level of support from every political party for community pubs, local brewers and consumers is a milestone in CAMRA's history, and will form the foundation for effective campaigning by CAMRA's 110,000 members in the next Parliament.'
ENDS
Notes to editors:
CAMRA is asking election candidates to:
1) Promote the interests of Britain's pub goers
2) Champion well-run community pubs
3) Rebalance alcohol taxation to support beer and pubs
4) Reform the beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers
5) Support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse
Of the 664 election candidates who have signed up to support CAMRA's commitments, 264 are Liberal Democrats, 161 are Labour Party candidates, 80 are Conservatives, 122 are Green Party candidates and 37 are from other parties.
Up-to-date lists of election candidates signed up to support CAMRA's five election commitments can be found at www.camra.org.uk/electionportal along with party breakdowns, policy summaries, quotes from supportive candidates and examples of where candidates have publicised their support in their local press.
For further information:
CAMRA's Press Office - 01727 798443
Jonathan Mail, CAMRA Head of Public Affairs, 01727 798448
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