CAMRA members call for new rules around diversity and equality

23-Apr-2018 - Last updated on 23-Apr-2018 at 13:36 GMT

Moving forward: CAMRA's Abigail Newton bids to continue inclusivity and combat discrimination

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) members voted to approve a motion calling for the organisation’s board of directors (National Executive) to set equality and diversity targets and report back on progress annually, at its AGM at the weekend.

Almost 18,000 members voted online and at CAMRA’s AGM, held in Coventry on 21 April, to express their views on changes to the organisation’s Articles of Association to redefine its 47-year-old purpose and campaigning activities.

This followed CAMRA’s largest consultation, starting in 2016, which gathered the views of 25,000 of its 190,000 members.

The motion to support diversity and equality targets comes after Wild Card head brewer Jaega Wise called for a ban on non-PC beers at competitions.

Ban sexist imagery

In place of the old objectives, members voted to approve recommendations to add in new objectives for the campaign, in a bid to make the organisation more inclusive, relevant and welcoming.

These were:

To secure the long-term future of real ale, real cider and real perry by increasing their quality, availability and popularity
To promote and protect pubs and clubs and social centres as part of the UK’s heritage
To increase recognition of the benefits of responsible, moderate social drinking
To play a leading role in the provision of information, education and training to all those with an interest in beer, cider and perry of any type
To ensure, where possible, that producers and retailers of beer, cider and perry act in the best interests of the consumer

However, the majority of members did not approve the recommendation to add one additional object, which was to act as the voice and represent the interests of all pubgoers and beer, cider and perry drinkers.

Wise urged the industry to ban beers featuring sexist imagery on their pump clips or labels from beer festival competitions organised by CAMRA.

CAMRA national director Abigail Newton said the organisation had already taken steps to promote inclusivity and combat discrimination.

She said: “Embedding equality and diversity into the organisation is not going to be a simple or quick process, but this motion will help to start the changes we require to make CAMRA an organisation that is welcoming to all.

“Individuals are more likely to join and remain members of CAMRA if they can see that our membership includes people who look and think like they do.

“Change requires leadership and while enacting this motion might be challenging, it is our duty to provide it.”

Improving diversity and inclusivity

Newton also said there were organisations and support available to help CAMRA achieve diversity and inclusivity goals.

She added: “If we are not prepared to do all we can to ensure our campaign is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to all, what are we saying?”

Also at the AGM, members voted against representing all pubgoers’ interests and all beer and cider drinkers.

For the changes to go ahead, three quarters (75%) of members needed to vote in favour. However, just 72% said they wanted to widen the scope of the organisation.