A wave of anger is sweeping through pubs and restaurants across Britain as furious landlords bar Labour MPs from their premises, saying crippling tax pressures have pushed them to the edge.
Across the country, windows and doors are being marked with blunt stickers reading “No Labour MPs”, a symbol of a fast growing revolt that publicans say reflects years of mounting frustration.
The campaign erupted on Friday, launched by Dorset publican Andy Lennox of the Old Thatch, and has since raced through the hospitality sector with dozens of venues joining in.
“It’s springing up in different towns,” said Mr Lennox. “By the end of the week, it will be all over the place.
“We’re getting requests from across the UK for stickers and advice on how to get involved, from bosses as far away as Clacton on Sea.”
His anger, shared by many in the sector, follows the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s November Budget. She unveiled a permanent five per cent tax cut for hospitality and retail businesses, hailing it as “the lowest tax rates since 1991”. But operators warn the reality is far less generous. Pandemic era rates relief, once seventy five per cent, is set to end in April after being reduced to forty per cent, leaving many businesses facing steep rises.
On top of that, some pubs, restaurants and hotels have been hit with unexpected jumps in their rateable values, sending their bills even higher.
UK Hospitality has sounded the alarm, warning that an average pub could see its business rates climb by seventy six per cent over the next three years. Industry figures fear closures and job cuts unless something changes.
Mr Lennox said his own projected rates are set to more than double. “I don’t think the Labour Government understands what they’re doing,” he said. “They’re taxing hospitality into extinction, and dressing it up as cutting rates and helping us.”
A poster displayed in one of the pubs says the reasons behind the pubs’ decision to ban Labour MPs are:
THE FACTS
ONLY 1 IN 10 PUBS WILL BE PROFITABLE FOLLOWING LABOUR’S NEW BUDGET. FACT.
A HOSPITALITY BUSINESS NOW CLOSES EVERY DAY. FACT.
THE GOVERNMENT NOW MAKES MORE IN A PINT THAT YOUR PUB DOES. FACT.
HOSPITALITY HAVE ENGAGED WITH MPS, WRITTEN TO MP’S, LOBBIED GOVERNMENT IN SOME OF THE MOST “SUCCESSFUL” CAMPAIGNS IN OUR HISTORY.
THE RESULT. THE GOVERNMENT TAXED US MORE. FACT.
THIS IS NOT POLITICAL. THIS IS SERIOUS. THE LABOUR MP’S DIDN’T LISTEN, THEY DIDN’T ACT AND INSTEAD THEY ACTUALLY TAXED US MORE. SO WERE NOT SERVING THEM UNTIL THEY DO, LISTEN. FACT.
==
WE CAN’T AFFORD TO GO ON STRIKE, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO CLOSE, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO GO TO LONDON. SO, THIS IS OUR INDUSTRIAL ACTION, IN THE ONLY WAY WE CAN. FACT.
#TAXEDOUT #NOLABOURMPS
#LASTORDERS
#CUTVAT
WE NEED A VAT CUT IN LINE WITH THE REST OF EUROPE & IRELAND TO 13%
In Bournemouth, restaurateur James Fowler of the Larder House has also joined the campaign, even barring his own MP, Tom Hayes.
“I told Tom it wasn’t personal. He’s a great local MP, I voted for him, but this isn’t a local issue. We set this up so it could go national.
“We want people talking across the whole country, and I don’t mind putting my neck on the line.”
Mr Hayes hit back, saying the ban risks shutting down dialogue at the very moment businesses need representation. He insisted the move “stops me doing my job”.
“I can’t listen to business owners, represent them to the Government, and secure the powers and support they need.
“I’m fighting for Bournemouth to get a fair share and for small businesses to get what they need. Now, however, my arm is being tied behind my back by the very businesses I meet often, care about, work closely with, and bring to No 11.”
Elsewhere, Warwickshire hotelier Rick Cressman said he has barred Labour MPs from the Nailcote Hotel after being forced to slash the number of young staff he could employ by twenty five per cent following last year’s Budget.
“They push up the costs of employing young people and then say they’re funding training programmes for young people, including in hospitality.
“Why do everything you can to wreck the industry, then throw hundreds of millions at job creation in it? It makes no sense, it’s bonkers.
“Why should we welcome them into our venues when they give us nothing we ask for? I don’t think anyone in the industry should welcome a Labour MP through their doors until they start listening.”
And the sentiment is spreading. A Worcestershire publican said: “I’ve just heard about the campaign and have already enquired about getting some stickers. This is something I can stand for. No Labour MPs welcome. They are a disgrace.”
Despite its rapid rise, the movement has sparked debate over whether shutting out MPs will bring results or deepen divisions within an already struggling sector. For now, however, more landlords appear ready to join a campaign that shows no sign of slowing.
