Publican swaps jobs with his local MP

Andrew Southerden of the Coach & Horses in Kibworth, Leicestershire, helped out in MP Edward Garnier’s surgery and sat in on some sessions last week.

Garnier, MP for Harborough, then did a one-and-a-half-hour shift at Southerden’s pub, where he learned to pull a pint and work the tills.

The swap is part of a scheme spearheaded by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, and supported by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, which aims to raise awareness among MPs of the issues publicans face. Close to 100 MPs have pledged or got behind the bar as part of the initiative.

Southerden said: “It went very well, we had a very good turnout at the pub, and the surgery seemed to be busier than usual too. Garnier spent the first 10 minutes of his shift getting to grips with pulling a pint. He was well-received at the pub and was there double the amount of time I expected him to be.

“We spoke about what had been going on in the trade with the pubcos and tenants, the code of practice, and the importance for a fairer balance in the industry.

“I found it surprising when I sat in a few of the surgery sessions because there were similar issues to those I hear at the pub — a real mixed bag of conversations.”

Garnier added: “I had never pulled a pint before, so that was a new experience.

“This tied in well with the pubco debate in the House of Commons the day before.

“I think it provided a good opportunity for the pub trade to understand that Parliament is taking the issues of the trade seriously, and we are certainly not unmindful of the difficulties that you are facing.”