Fury at Keir Starmer’s Christmas message about going to the pub as industry reaches crisis
Anger has erupted over Keir Starmer’s Christmas message about going to the pub as the industry enters crisis.
In a recorded speech lasting nearly three minutes, Mr Starmer mentioned with a wry smile that people could ‘go to the pub’ this Christmas.
But commentators expressing outrage over the speech were not met with the same humor.
More than 2,000 bars have closed their doors completely since 2020; 412 bars will close in 2024 alone.
Rachel Reeves’ budget announced a 3.66 per cent increase in alcohol duty, effective from February 1, 2026.
The increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in the October 2024 budget also had an impact on small businesses such as pubs, with the impact only becoming real a year later.
The tax increase is thought to be responsible for the loss of 69,000 hospitality jobs since it was announced in October. Times in question.
Keir Starmer delivered his almost three-minute Christmas message but it was met with anger
More than 2,000 pubs have closed since 2020 and tax rises have been blamed for the loss of more than 69,000 hospitality jobs since last October
Online commenters expressed outrage that Starmer mentioned many pubs were closing
One commenter, Mike, said: ‘I can’t believe the thin-eared rudeness (sic) of the resident of number 10 Downing Street Prime Minister who invited us to visit the pub in his Christmas message.
‘Didn’t he realize that the woman next door, the economically illiterate Rachel Reeves, was closing a bar every day?’
Commentator Maureen Lloyd replied: ‘He only says things he thinks will make him popular, Mike… and as a Labor voter I want to apologize for dragging him into the country, I wish I could take that back.’
Another X user, James Wooley, chimed in: ‘Ironic really because many pubs have banned him and Labor MPs from their establishments.’
Increasing minimum wages in this year’s budget has also had an impact on bar owners, making it more expensive to employ people.
The minimum wage currently stands at £12.71 per hour for over-21s (an increase of 50p), while younger workers (18-20) see an increase of 85p to £10.85 per hour.
The end of the 40 per cent business rates discount for businesses in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, which will come into force in 2026, has also affected pubs.
One commenter on his video said: ‘Part of my soul died listening to this.’
But some came to his defense, claiming there were other explanations for the bar closures
But some have come to the prime minister’s defence, with one X user, David Calderbank, protesting: ‘Pubs have been closing for years.
‘Different social habits, drink driving laws, social media, smoking habits, different entertainment systems at home have resulted in the pub culture of the past not being as popular.’
