As a former small business owner, former Business Minister and as someone who enjoys a pint at the local after a long day, I’m proud to launch our ‘Save the Local’ campaign.
Pubs are the heart of our communities in Thirsk and Malton and it’s vital that we stand up for them as they struggle under Labour’s damaging policies. From the punishing business rate hikes that will cost pubs an extra £3,646 a year to the nanny-state garden smoking bans that threaten to drive away customers, Labour’s hostility towards pubs and small businesses is clear. These policies betray the empty promises of their manifesto and put our locals at risk.
In Thirsk and Malton, the beer and pub sector directly supports over 3,000 jobs, with nearly a third held by 16–24-year-olds. For many, these are their first jobs, offering invaluable experience and a stepping stone into the workforce. Yet Labour’s reckless National Insurance hike will add an extra £800 cost per employee, a burden that landlords and publicans simply can’t afford. This will inevitably lead to job losses, hitting both the local economy and the community spirit our pubs help foster.
As part of our campaign, I’ll be asking constituents to vote for their favourite local pub in our ‘Best Pub’ competition, celebrating the fantastic establishments that make this constituency so special. Now more than ever, we must stand up for our locals—before it’s too late.
