Anti-tax mascot and friends hit Parliament
8 April, 2009
Axe the Beer Tax mascot Mr Pinty and friends march around Westminster
Industry efforts to stop further beer duty hikes in the Budget have been stepped up today with a parliamentary protest by a group of cartoon pint characters.
The Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub’s 6ft mascot Mr Pinty was joined by five other characters representing beer brands for a march around Westminster and PR opportunity.
As witnessed by The Publican, the group of five began their light-hearted protest at Parliament Square, as the Tamil protest continued on the other side of the square.
They then moved on to the Treasury, handing out campaign postcards to bemused passer-bys, before heading for a photocall near Downing Street.
More than 70,000 people have so far joined the campaign and 25,000 have lobbied their MP since November. As a result, over 202 MPs, from all political parties, have signed a parliamentary motion supporting the campaign.
In the last week more than 10,000 people have sent emails and texts to the chancellor, urging him to scrap beer tax rises, according to the campaign.
Mr Pinty said: “I am protesting with my friends today to make sure the Chancellor realises how horrible he is being to our lovely British pubs. The taxman already takes more than a third of a pint in tax and in the budget they want to take even more.
“Lots of Mr Pinty’s favourite pubs have been closing down since the Chancellor increased taxes last year. Mr Pinty just doesn’t understand why he continues to be so mean to him and his friends. We only want to make a living.”
Mr Pinty (and friends) march on Westminster for Axe the Beer Tax
Photos of Mr Pinty (and friends) in Westminster for Axe the Beer Tax
Readers' comments
Shareyourvoice, I am bound to ask, other than a day out in the sunshine, what DIFFERENCE do you think this will make? I recall January 26th had a huge negative impact on one pubco's tea and biccies budget but little else. I think that the other pubco just shut the windows because it was a chilly day. The only way forward really is a democratically ELECTED and fully accountable representative body. Anything else wastes everyone's time and produces the spectre of personal vested interests coming into play.
HAVE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! Taking action is easy and won't take much of your time, but it will make a giant difference: CLICK THE LINK http://www.axetaxesnotjobs.com/ and fill out the form to join the fight against irresponsible and regressive taxes. "This will cost jobs in our industry— including those of small business owners, servers and bartenders like you who are the lifeblood of our economy. We need your personal involvement and help“ Thank you
Well, it's got you all talking about it, which I guess is the whole point of the exercise?
As with TV adverts, people tend to remember the frivolous rather than the factual. Actually, this was yet another missed opportunity by Fairpint, they could have been there with someone in a costume resembling a pubco share certificate.
You have to admire "Mr Pinty's" bravery, if Jacki Smith had seen him, she would have sent the police out to beat him to death!
Surprising that the CAMRA people didn't report them to trading standards for not being "full measures!!"Ken Nason
Embarrasing, peoples livelyhoods on the line and thats how they represent their arguement. I'm sure that any self respecting grass roots membership of CAMRA will want to distance themselves from those at the top.
Nothing but a bit of free advertising going on I feel, if they are not careful they could be mistaken for politicians perhaps. Who organised it? the apprentices !!!!!!, I know what Sir Alan would say "You're Fired". you twits.
The BBPA couldn’t run a p**s up in a brewery ? My God you're right, pretty much the same as January 26th.
Oh my God, they have made us look a laughing stock again. how stupid if they want to organise a protest they should invite everyone involved in the industry suppliers, publicans, brewery staff etc. not some silly cartoon caracters this is no laughing matter this is serious, this is our livelyhoods.
Steve, totally agree!! OMG!!!!! we're trying to save our industry . Where Oh where were the licensees who want to protest? I Didnt get an invitation did anyone else? I Doubt it. This is a serious situation that thousands of us are in, and what do we get? Six ridiculous cartoon characters that have now made us a laughing stock. Months of hard work down the pan. If you're gonna organise a protest then do it properly!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!
You gotta laugh, if they were serious why not arrange a proper rally? Pubco greed
Hilarious! The BBPA couldn’t run a p**s up in a brewery - didn’t they realise that Parliament is in recess?