‘Mulholland’s Law’ beer served in Parliament to celebrate MRO campaign win
‘Mulholland’s Law’ beer – a 4.2% ABV pale amber, premium bitter - was produced by Briscoe’s Brewery, a microbrewery owned by Paul Briscoe, who has been brewing beers at his home in Otley for 20 years. The beer was named after the nickname given for the MRO option, which was originally tabled by co-ordinator of the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign group Greg Mulholland MP.
An MRO option for tied tenants of companies with more than 500 pubs was added to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill in November after 284 MPs voted in favour of Mulholland's clause. There were 269 votes opposing the clause.
The beer was originally launched at a pub in Otley in December but was unveiled in Parliament for the first time on Tuesday (17 March) – the same day the Bill passed the third reading stage in the House of Lords, meaning the MRO option is set to be introduced as law.
'Momentous'
Mulholland said: “It is fantastic to have Briscoe’s beer in the House of Commons today to celebrate the passage into law of this historic and momentous campaigning win.
“I feel very honoured that they have chosen this way to recognise my role leading the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign and in securing the historic victory in the House of Commons, but I also want to thank all ten organisations who have supported the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign and licensees and campaigners up and down the country who helped us make this happen.
"The forthcoming change in the law will end years of abuse of the pubco tied model and is great news for pubs, hardworking publicans and for communities and consumers and heralds a fairer, more diverse pub sector with many more pubs able to succeed”.
'Victory'
Briscoe said: "I have supported the Fair Deal Campaign from the start, and it is great that this victory will hopefully give local pubs the opportunity to buy more local beers, which are becoming more and more popular, and be the first stage of the smaller business fight back, which can often not complete with big business."
The next stage of the Bill, known as Ping Pong, will take place next Tuesday (24 March), when the two Houses will debate the legislation, before it receives Royal Assent.
