What does the Telegraph ‘Pubs with no beer’ story tells us about the Tories in 2021?
On 6th February the Daily Telegraph front page floated a story that pubs in England (which is far as the Tories remit now runs though the paper didn’t mention that) might re-open in April but not be allowed to sell alcohol.
It was of courses BS Max:
COVID transmission in pubs: some actual evidence (not what temperance campaigners hope for)
What however does it tell us about the Tory Party in 2021? They are not the party of temperance. Historically they are connected to the Beerage- the large regional UK breweries. The Liberals were the party of temperance while Labour played it both ways. One section understood, rightly, that drunkenness is the enemy of social progress (why the Tories liked it) the other section keen on winning the votes of pub goers who liked a beer after a hard day’s work.
The Tories in 2021 though are not the party of the Beerage or British industry. They may have taken back control but that is rhetoric for public consumption. Actually they are a party of international market capitalism, making profits worldwide and trying to ensure that the proceeds end up in the UK and most particularly in their pockets.
On that agenda does it matter if the UK brewing and pub industry flounders? Not hugely. It matters a bit to Chancellor Sunak because there is still an economic impact and costs to Government. If pubs just re-open, whether or not they sell what they are supposed to, he can save on furlough money. That is also very Tory Party 2021, claiming to be carrying through large scale public works while in reality pursuing an austerity agenda.
Meanwhile keep in mind the man who threatens to bring you the pub with no beer: Boris Johnson.
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