BBPA chief attacks soundbite politics

New British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds has warned the trade to be prepared for more "soundbite politics".

She made the comments in her first major speech as head of the trade body at the BBPA Midlands Forum in Stoke, today.

The comments followed plans unveiled by Gordon Brown this week to get tough on 24-hour drinking.

Simmonds said: "There's no such thing as 24-hour drinking… and we already have powers such as ADZs to make pubs pay for clearing up".

Pointing towards the run-up to a general election, she warned: "We are in an area of soundbite politics, where people are saying things that sound good at the time, but don't really understand what they mean."

On the controversial mandatory code of practice on alcohol retailing, Simmonds suggested the trade must be prepared for the legislation to become a reality, despite Peter Mandelson's attempts to get it delayed.

"The next task for us is to fight the Bill as it goes through the Lords," she said. "The Lib Dems are fighting it on our behalf, but if that doesn't work, what we must be talking about is that the code may be implemented."

She said the BBPA was telling the Home Office that many measures will be "impossible" to put in and a clampdown on promotions should be included in the Licensing Act.

Simmonds, who was previously chief of Business in Sport and Leisure, also reiterated comments made earlier in the week suggesting the group will change its Axe the Tax campaign message.

"In the current economic climate, are we really going to Axe the Tax? The answer is probably 'no'".

She said the argument should shift to highlighting beer as a low-strength product and a review of a European directive allowing lower duty on some drinks gave hope.

Earlier indicating that the BBPA could break away from joint lobbying with the alcohol industry on duty, she stated: "We are the British Beer and Pub Association, not the British alcohol association."