Reform UK's leader and Makerfield by-election candidate meet pub landlords to discuss the issues they face
Help for pubs was on the agenda as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Makerfield to support candidate Rob Kenyon ahead of the crunch by-election.
The pair went on a canvassing session in Goose Green, followed by another few hours of door knocking in Bryn.
They then met more than 30 local pub landlords at Chapo’s At The Caledonian Pub in Ashton to present Reform UK’s plan to save pubs.
They spoke to Makerfield publicans about the issues facing hospitality businesses in the constituency, particularly the Employment Rights Act and the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions.
Speaking exclusively to the Wigan Post, Mr Farage said: “It’s no secret I’ve always been a big supporter of pubs. Every pub is a Parliament after all, so it was great to meet so many landlords at Chapo’s with Rob Kenyon and let them know what measures my party would take to save British pubs.”
“This is the most significant parliamentary by-election since 1964. The results here will have enormous ramifications not just for Makerfield, but also for the entire country, and I think the voters can see that.
“I have been across the constituency today knocking on doors and meeting real people. This by-election is too close to predict but one thing is for certain – it’s a two-horse race between Reform and Labour.”
Mr Kenyon, who was elected as a councillor for Bryn and Ashton-in-Makerfield North in last month’s local elections, said: “People across this constituency have been taken for granted for far too long. Many we’ve spoken to today haven’t had a knock on their door from Labour for decades.
“Communities in Makerfield don’t want to be used as a stepping stone for Andy Burnham’s political career. They’ve felt no benefit being part of Greater Manchester, instead being used as a dumping ground for illegal migrants and being drained of investment in favour of central Manchester.
“Pubs and landlords have also been left to fend for themselves, with many shutting their doors and being converted into HMOs for migrants. In many cases, this rips the heart out of many of our towns and villages.
“Only Reform UK will give Makerfield its voice back and save our pubs.”
Reform has outlined its five-point plan to save Makerfield’s pubs:
1. Reduce VAT to 10 per cent for the hospitality sector
2. Scrap the employer National Insurance increase for hospitality businesses
3. Cut beer duty by 10 per cent
4. Implement staggered business rate abolition for all pubs
5. Change regulation (the “beer orders”) to support landlords
The by-election will be held in Makerfield on Thursday, June 18.
The candidates are: Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats), Count Binface (Count Binface Party), Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative Party), Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party), John Dyer (independent), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Paul Gould (independent), Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Rob Kenyon (Reform UK), Robert Pownall (independent), Rebecca Shepherd (Restore Britain), Sarah Wakefield (Green Party), Peter Ward (Rejoin EU Bring in PR) and Michael Winstanley (Conservative).