Petition to put crowns back on the pint glass 'will restore faith' in Brexit

04-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 11-Jul-2024 at 14:13 GMT

Symbolic: the crown mark was used to indicate that the drink was a full imperial pint or half-pint measure

An online petition has been launched to restore the crown emblem to British pint glasses, in a move supporters say will “restore faith” in Brexit in a similar fashion to the return of the blue passport.

The petition, launched at the end of December 2017, calls on Margot James MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, to “reassure that no action will be taken against any party” that manufactures or uses glasses bearing the traditional crown emblem.

Author of the petition John Davies claimed the move would “symbolise the restoration of UK sovereignty” prior to the UK leaving the EU in March 2019.

Absolutely. Sign the petition! https://t.co/OFlbsNDYrn
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 3, 2018

Great symbolism

“In a similar move to the colour change in the British passport, this simple action could have great symbolism, and hearten and restore some faith in those who believe that the result of the EU referendum is somehow being watered down,” he adds.

The crown mark that used to adorn many pint glasses in the UK was used to indicate that the drink was a full imperial pint (568ml) or half pint measure (284ml).

However, an EU measuring instruments directive that came into force in late 2006 meant manufacturers had to mark the letters 'CE' on newly made pint pots, although existing crown-stamped glasses could still be used in pubs.

What an utterly worthless cause. Only a total moron would be on board with this.

Oh. pic.twitter.com/6UxNAHr0wy
— Graham Lithgow (@grahamlithgow) January 3, 2018

‘Beyond parody’

There has been a mixed reaction to the petition. Writing on Twitter, one user described it as an “utterly worthless cause”, while another suggested the discussion proved that Brexit was “beyond parody”.

However, others have given their approval to the petition. Writing on its change.org page, Dudley Howard said: “The sooner we re-establish our Britishness, the sooner we will hold our heads, and beer glasses, up high”, while former UKIP leader Nigel Farage has also lent his support via Twitter.

A similar petition was launched by UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge in January 2017, who claimed that a move back to the UK Government stamp could help revive Britain's glass-making sector.

At the time of publication, the petition had been signed by more than 6,000 people.