Jonathan Todd

Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has joined forces with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). He wants to promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers, champion community pubs, press for reform of the ‘beer tie’ to deliver a fair deal for consumers and support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse.

These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for beer drinkers and pub goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.

Mr Todd said:

“CAMRA is a fantastic organisation, with a strong campaigning platform that would bring positive change not only to pubs and their drinkers and communities, but also to public health. CAMRA’s proposals will make it more likely that people drink in the safe, regulated environments of pubs, rather than buying alcohol at rock bottom prices in supermarkets. Buying alcohol from supermarkets in this way tends to fuel unhealthy binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. This is something that I will work to change.”

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Jonathan Todd’s support for the Charter, saying:

“We are delighted that Jonathan Todd has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year.  Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers.”