How cool is this. The UK government has just created a new Ministry — similar to our cabinet positions — The Ministry for Pubs. Wentworth MP John Healey was named the firs Minister, and he had the following to say about his appointment.
“Pubs are often at the heart of community life. And they are important meeting places for many people. While we can’t stop every pub from closing it’s right we do everything possible to back them. But they need help now so I am determined to have a deal on the table with a package of practical help in the next few weeks.”
The Morning Advertiser has the full story, to which Drinks International added.
Mark Hastings. British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) director of communications said: “This is a clear sign of the strong public desire to see British pubs supported and the success of our campaign over the last year. We hope this means that pubs will now have a strategic place in Government policy making, and we are pleased that the agenda echoes so many of the priorities we have identified.
“We couldn’t wish for a better minister than John Healey as the voice for pubs within Government, and look forward to a positive, frank and constructive relationship with him in order to support this great British institution that is so important to the social and economic life of local communities.”
Can you imagine a cabinet post in the U.S. Secretary of Alcohol? Or Drinks Czar? It would give new meaning to the term, “member of the bar.”
It sounds like their Nanny state interferes again, I bet most pub owners aren’t very thrilled by the notion. Paternalism has many forms, the wise are usually skeptical of it’s approach.
Actually surveying a number of the bloggers and news accounts today reveals that most seem pleased by the news. I suspect that’s in part because the government has been very hostile to beer and pubs lately and this appears at least to be a positive step in the other direction. As far as I can tell, the initial reactions seems welcoming and hopeful
I hope this is a positive step for the pub culture of the UK. Going to pubs was a unique travel experience that I enjoyed when I visited London many years ago. It certainly seemed like a model of responsible drinking at the time with the prevalence of flavorful, session beers and interesting people to talk to.