Only two per cent of licensees plan to vote Labour

Licensees are set to give Labour a major thumbs down at the general election after a Publican​ survey revealed nearly half plan to vote Conservative.

Huge hikes in beer tax and a lack of action on off-trade deals appear to be the main factors which have wrecked the current government's chances of receiving trade backing.

Only two per cent of the169 licensees responding to our survey said they would vote Labour on May 6.

However, 31 per cent said they are undecided and 12 per cent of licensees said they would back the Liberal Democrats, who could still have a role to play if there is a hung Parliament.

Of the issues that publicans want to see addressed, scrapping the duty escalator - which sees alcohol tax increased by two per cent above inflation every year - came out top with 97 per cent of licensees calling for it to go.

The second most pressing issue is supermarket pricing, with two thirds saying they want to see a minimum price on alcohol. Three quarters of licensees (73 per cent) would like a mimimum price of 50p or more - which tallies with The Publican's ​Make it the Minimum campaign.

Meanwhile, the beer tie issue still looms large over the industry. Sixty-seven per cent responding said they want a Competition Commission inquiry into the beer tie, which remains a threat from government if the pubcos do not get their house in order.

Eight out of 10 agreed there should be a law giving tenants the choice of going free-of-tie and 87 per cent wanted the option of a guest beer. One licensee went even further, saying: "Get the tie abolished, to let tenants have a fair chance of operating a successful business."

Red tape also continues to give licensees a headache, with 60 per cent calling for the government to cut regulation. And more than 90 per cent want red tape around live music to be slashed, which chimes with The Publican's​ Listen Up! campaign.

Elsewhere, the smoking ban attracted plenty of comment. Despite being in place now for nearly three years, two thirds agreed the ban should be partially appealed to allow more choice, as 72 per cent said it had hampered their business. "Relax the smoking ban and allow indoor smoking rooms," said one licensee.

Our manifesto

The starting gun has been fired on the general election - and The Publican​ will be setting its stall out to the major parties in the form of a manifesto, based on the results of our readers' survey.

Here's what we'll be asking for:

1. Scrap the alcohol duty escalator

2. Tackle "irresponsible" supermarket pricing

3. Make the beer tie business model fairer

4. Review the smoking ban in light of its impact on trade

5. Cut red tape for pubs