Cameron: ban below cost supermarket booze

Pub welfare was on the election agenda yesterday as David Cameron met with the board at Fuller's brewery to discuss beer duty rises, before a question and answer session with employees.

Cameron used the trip to hit out at cheap supermarket booze. "I think that supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost should be banned," he said.

"This really deep discounting is actually encouraging irresponsible behaviour and we need to stop it. And I think if we do that it will be easier to make sure we've got a good and thriving pub industry."

The Conservative leader said the "hundreds" of pubs in his Oxfordshire constituency were struggling and added that his party "wants to help the pubs and help people to drink sociably".

Cameron's brewery visit lasted one hour and forty-five minutes. Following the board meeting, the Tory leader had a short tour of the brewery, and took part in a question and answer session with Fullers' employees.

Executive director of the brewery Richard Fuller said he was encouraged by the fact that Cameron was prepared to listen. "He does know something about the industry, having two breweries in this constituency. He was able to talk with some experience."

"Any opportunity to get the industry message across to senior politicians has got to be taken," said Fuller.

"I think our employees found it enjoyable. It wasn't a political visit as such, but they got the opportunity to ask questions on issues such as Europe and Trident."

Fuller said that Cameron "reeled off quite a long list of drinks he likes", adding that he "certainly mentioned London Pride near the top of the list".