24-hour drinking could be issue in election campaign

So-called "24-hour drinking" and other concerns affecting pubs are likely to be key issues in the race for the general election.

Tony Blair officially fired the starting pistol on the election countdown last week when he set May 5 as the date for the election.

Other issues sure to be debated in the weeks ahead include the minimum wage and red tape.

But Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said he was wary of the pub trade being linked to the problems of anti-social behaviour during the election.

"It would be a pity if politicians were to make capital out of a small minority of badly behaved people on our streets," he said.

The pub trade has faced what many regard as unfair criticism over the last year, especially in the tabloid press, over the debate on "24-hour drinking".

Mark Hastings, communications director at the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "Undoubtedly anti-social behaviour will be strong themes of the election and I expect MPs will seek to bring pubs into this debate."

On a more positive note Mr Hastings said he expected MPs to be visiting their local pubs, which would give licensees a chance to have their say in person.

Identity cards were a casualty of the election announcement last week when the bill was dropped. But the controversial Gambling Bill made it onto the statute books after yet another concession - when the plans for "supercasinos" were watered down from eight to just one "prototype".