Chancellor Alistair Darling has been banned from the Wellington Arms in Watford following his "tyrannical, anti-pub" budget.
Licensee Warren Baker has written to Mr Darling informing him that he is no longer welcome and has put up a poster, which states "We hereby give notice that Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is barred from this pub until further notice".
The Wellington Arms is one of hundreds of pubs taking direct action against the Chancellor as part of a national campaign supported by pub industry bible the Morning Advertiser.
Warren Baker said: "By adding 4p to a pint of beer and promising to raise duty two per cent above inflation for the next four years, Darling will be solely responsible for the closure of a record number of pubs.
"The budget will drive people away from the supervised environment of the pub and into the arms of the deep discounting supermarkets.
"The supermarkets can afford to take the increases on board, so their rock bottom prices will continue as will binge drinking and youths downing alcohol on street corners and in parks.
"The earliest predictions from Goldman Sachs point to a ten per cent drop in trade at the average pub since the smoking ban came into effect on 1 July last year.
"We are also suffering from rising utility costs, wholesale beer price increases and the cheap and irresponsible deals being offered on alcohol in the supermarkets.
"The trade is on its knees and asked the Chancellor for help but instead he has hammered the final nail in the coffin of the British pub.
"As the poet Hilaire Belloc said: When you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England."
Campaign for Real Ale chief executive Mike Benner said the budget was a "great big nail whacked ruthlessly in the coffin of the British pub".
He added: "The Chancellor has failed to recognise that well-run community pubs are the solution to Britain's binge drinking problems.
"This budget will do nothing to stop binge drinking, but it will lead to pub closures on a huge scale, widen the gap between supermarket and pub prices and encourage smuggling and cross-border shopping."
Rob Hayward, British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive, said: "Alistair Darling has just launched the £6.50 pint in time for the London Olympics. This will escalate pub closures, which are already at record levels
"Government is punishing all beer drinkers rather than tackling the minority of drunken hooligans.
"But Government policy is fuelling Britain's binge drink problem by driving people away from beer, out of the pub, and into the arms of the deep discounting supermarkets."
What would you tell Alistair Darling over a pint in your local? Click the link below to share your views.
11:49am Monday 14th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steve, Abbots Langley on 1:06pm Mon 14 Apr 08
A good publican keeps his political views to himself. I for one won't be popping into the Wellington Arms. I wonder if Warren Baker banned any of the last set of Tory chancellors who also put up taxes on booze?
A good publican keeps his political views to himself. I for one won't be popping into the Wellington Arms. I wonder if Warren Baker banned any of the last set of Tory chancellors who also put up taxes on booze?
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford on 1:40pm Mon 14 Apr 08
Hang on a second... something doesn't ring true here.
A pub landlord quoting extracts by Hilaire Belloc and citing economic predictions from major city players Goldman Sachs?
Hmmm... that just doesn't sound quite right to me, a little bit too cultured and colourful for a backstreet pub landlord methinks.
My bet is that the hack that wrote this story did a bit of creative text on Mr.Baker's behalf perhaps?
Hang on a second... something doesn't ring true here.
A pub landlord quoting extracts by Hilaire Belloc and citing economic predictions from major city players Goldman Sachs?
Hmmm... that just doesn't sound quite right to me, a little bit too cultured and colourful for a backstreet pub landlord methinks.
My bet is that the hack that wrote this story did a bit of creative text on Mr.Baker's behalf perhaps?
Posted by: Roy Stockdill on 1:43pm Mon 14 Apr 08
I suspect that this is probably a standard letter drawn up by CAMRA, the BBPA or someone at the Morning Advertiser, of which Alastair Darling has received several hundred copies, all the same!
I suspect that this is probably a standard letter drawn up by CAMRA, the BBPA or someone at the Morning Advertiser, of which Alastair Darling has received several hundred copies, all the same!
Posted by: Roy Stockdill on 1:49pm Mon 14 Apr 08
Actually, we shouldn't just be blaming Darling and previous Chancellors for the demise of the British pub. The true culprits are the big breweries and pub chains, who have transformed hundreds of nice-old-fashioned boozers into monstrous theme bars with silly names and even sillier drinks, aimed at kids who haven't a clue about sensible drinking.
I have often said the French and Italians have a far more relaxed attitude to alcohol. They bring their children up to appreciate a decent wine with meals and to drink sensibly and in moderation.
However, the publicans are quite right when they say that young people get their alcohol in the supermarkets and, by and large, not from pubs. And even the not-so-young, too! I confess I recently took advantage of an offer at my local mini-supermarket of 3 bottles of red wine for £10. Perfectly acceptable plonk it was, too.
Actually, we shouldn't just be blaming Darling and previous Chancellors for the demise of the British pub. The true culprits are the big breweries and pub chains, who have transformed hundreds of nice-old-fashioned boozers into monstrous theme bars with silly names and even sillier drinks, aimed at kids who haven't a clue about sensible drinking.
I have often said the French and Italians have a far more relaxed attitude to alcohol. They bring their children up to appreciate a decent wine with meals and to drink sensibly and in moderation.
However, the publicans are quite right when they say that young people get their alcohol in the supermarkets and, by and large, not from pubs. And even the not-so-young, too! I confess I recently took advantage of an offer at my local mini-supermarket of 3 bottles of red wine for £10. Perfectly acceptable plonk it was, too.
Posted by: Tring Hornet, Tring on 2:06pm Mon 14 Apr 08
Wonder ifhe will also bar the breweries that put up prices a week before the budget?
This included increases of approx 10p per pnt on some lines!!!!
Or did warren barker not notice those?
Wonder ifhe will also bar the breweries that put up prices a week before the budget?
This included increases of approx 10p per pnt on some lines!!!!
Or did warren barker not notice those?
Posted by: JBB, Watford on 2:47pm Mon 14 Apr 08
I dont think it will stop people going to the pub! People will always find the money for a beer. its the same with fags, how many times have you heard 'ooh once fags rise to £5 a pack Im quitting', these people still smoke.
Still gives the landlord something to talk about to his punters
I dont think it will stop people going to the pub! People will always find the money for a beer. its the same with fags, how many times have you heard 'ooh once fags rise to £5 a pack Im quitting', these people still smoke.
Still gives the landlord something to talk about to his punters
Posted by: patrick knight, watford on 6:49pm Mon 14 Apr 08
I think the motive here is political . Putting up the price of a pint is going to happen in the era of a labour government. The pub in the hood has to take it on the chin. If the men carnt afford the price of a pint then they can cut back. I do believe the premises is a hotel as well. Napoleon said England is a nation of shopkeepers they dont seem to be doing to badly.
I think the motive here is political . Putting up the price of a pint is going to happen in the era of a labour government. The pub in the hood has to take it on the chin. If the men carnt afford the price of a pint then they can cut back. I do believe the premises is a hotel as well. Napoleon said England is a nation of shopkeepers they dont seem to be doing to badly.
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford on 8:03pm Mon 14 Apr 08
Barring Alistair Darling will of course achieve nothing whatsoever.
This government, along with all others that will follow, will always continue to increase taxing the commodities that make up our lifestyles.
This will of course be a damning blow to the humble traditional public house.
Publicans are struggling pretty hard as it is what with increases in rent and rates, and now with price increases in beer and spirits their lives are going to be made that much more difficult.
Mark my words, the days of the traditional boozer are numbered.
Barring Alistair Darling will of course achieve nothing whatsoever.
This government, along with all others that will follow, will always continue to increase taxing the commodities that make up our lifestyles.
This will of course be a damning blow to the humble traditional public house.
Publicans are struggling pretty hard as it is what with increases in rent and rates, and now with price increases in beer and spirits their lives are going to be made that much more difficult.
Mark my words, the days of the traditional boozer are numbered.
Posted by: VoR, Watford on 8:57pm Mon 14 Apr 08
At least the toilet's are ok Pod!
At least the toilet's are ok Pod!
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford on 11:16pm Mon 14 Apr 08
[quote][bold]VoR[/bold] wrote:
At least the toilet's are ok Pod![/quote] ha ha...
Curse you VoR!... you are beginning to sound like my nemesis.
The Welly isn't half as bad as it sed to be in the late 80s early 90s I might add.
VoR wrote:
At least the toilet's are ok Pod!
ha ha...
Curse you VoR!... you are beginning to sound like my nemesis.
The Welly isn't half as bad as it sed to be in the late 80s early 90s I might add.
Posted by: Jimbobfury, Watford on 2:36pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Isn't the Wellington part of the Pub Watch scheme in Watford, which means if you're barred in 1 pub, then you are barred from the lot?
Therefore Alistar Darling is barred from all the pubs in Watford!!!
Isn't the Wellington part of the Pub Watch scheme in Watford, which means if you're barred in 1 pub, then you are barred from the lot?
Therefore Alistar Darling is barred from all the pubs in Watford!!!
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford-ish on 8:40pm Tue 15 Apr 08
No wonder publicans are worried about beer sales.
Every time I go into the pubs and bars along watford high street, you hardly see people drinking beer... most of these individuals are happy to be on Coke all night, trust me.
No wonder publicans are worried about beer sales.
Every time I go into the pubs and bars along watford high street, you hardly see people drinking beer... most of these individuals are happy to be on Coke all night, trust me.
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford on 8:41pm Tue 15 Apr 08
[quote][bold]The Plinth of Darkneth[/bold] wrote:
No wonder publicans are worried about beer sales.
Every time I go into the pubs and bars along watford high street, you hardly see people drinking beer... most of these individuals are happy to be on Coke all night, trust me.[/quote] And that must leave a rather nasty taste in their mouths I bet.
The Plinth of Darkneth wrote:
No wonder publicans are worried about beer sales.
Every time I go into the pubs and bars along watford high street, you hardly see people drinking beer... most of these individuals are happy to be on Coke all night, trust me.
And that must leave a rather nasty taste in their mouths I bet.
Posted by: Auntie, Watford on 8:48pm Wed 16 Apr 08
Alistair Darling (and the rest of his shower of charlatans) should be banned full stop.
Alistair Darling (and the rest of his shower of charlatans) should be banned full stop.
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