TV licensee Jay Smith helps Miliband on pubs policy

TV star licensee Jay Smith is working with Labour leadership hopeful David Miliband on his campaign to save the pub.

Smith, who runs Monty's in York and Harrogate and starred in the Save our Boozer show, is acting as an advisor to Miliband, who unveiled a three-point plan to save the pub last month.

The plan includes giving tenants the option to opt out of the "anti-competitive" beer tie, strengthening planning laws to protect pubs and reinstating a pubs minister.

"Further to his earlier announcements on the plight of the pub trade David Milliband's team have been in discussions with Jay Smith to discuss the best route forward for his policy," a spokesman said.

"Jay was invited to meet the team in London and was able to brief them on a number of key issues relating to earlier statements made by David."

Smith said: "I had a very productive meeting in London at the end of last week during which we covered a lot of ground relating to the tie, community pubs and various other issues affecting the trade at this difficult time.

"David and his team clearly understand the challenges we face and we are now in the process of forming a comprehensive, balanced strategy on which to build their policy.

"It is with great relief that the plight of our industry has come to their attention. I look forward to our next meeting and to seeing a policy that is fair to all being outlined in the near future.

"Whilst I can't go into detail at this point it is more than fair to say that David did not make his earlier pledge lightly and will be following it up in detail at a later date. I was delighted to be asked to consult on the policy."