Darling 'barred' across UK
Licensees across the country have delivering the "you're barred" message to anti-pub Chancellor Alistair Darling.
The Morning Advertiser is backing the bid following Chancellor Darling's devastating Budget.
Licensees have been left fuming after the Chancellor slapped a 4p increase on a pint of beer and pledged to raise alcohol duty by 2% above inflation for the next four years.
Hosts have been downloading "You're Barred" posters and copies of the MA's front page featuring Darling as a donkey, and displaying them at their pubs.
Michael Kheng has put up the posters at his six bars in Lincolnshire.
The boss of Kurnia Intertrade said: "The Chancellor has ignored what has been said to him by the industry. Banning him will hopefully get the message across."
Batemans tenant Darren Cheesman, of the Hit or Miss in Stamford, Lincolnshire, said: "The Government keeps talking about binge drinking and it taxes the part of the industry that doesn't involve binge drinking.
"The customers are certainly on board with this campaign.
"They've helped me to print off the posters and take them to other pubs. They're not over the moon with the tax increases the Chancellor has put on."
How to get involved
Visit www.morningadvertiser.co.uk and:
1. Download a Ban Alistair Darling poster for your pub
2. Download the MA's front page showing Donkey Darling and stick it up next to the poster
3. Download the Alistair Darling: You Are Banned letter and email it to darlinga@parliament.uk
4. Download the Darling: Pub Ban press release and send it to your local paper
5. Join Alistair Darling: You're Barred Facebook group
6. Email a pic of you, staff and customers with the poster and MA front page to ewan.turney@william-reed.co.uk
Treasury strikes own goal with hard-line duty hike
The Treasury has issued a "tough luck'" message to the trade over the massive hike in alcohol duty.
Interestingly, the new statement does not mention the health lobby's argument that raising alcohol tax will cut binge drinking. It said: "The Chancellor made it pretty clear in his Budget that his objective was to end child poverty and help pensioners and families.
"If this [raising alcohol tax] is the price he has to pay, then so be it."
British Beer & Pub Association communications director Mark Hastings said: "This tax increase will hit hardest the very people the Chancellor is seeking to help.
"Pensioners and low-income families will see a greater proportion of their incomes disappear because of increases in alcohol taxes than those who are more affluent."
