UK: MP stages all-night vigil to save British pubs

05 December, 2008
An MP staged a 13-hour vigil at the House of Commons to highlight the threat to the Great British pub.

An MP staged a 13-hour vigil at the House of Commons to highlight the threat to the Great British pub.

Colchester MP Bob Russell took up his position at 8.40pm outside the door of the Table Office just outside the Commons Chamber so that he could be first in the queue to table an Early Day Motion when the doors opened at 10am.
 
The Liberal Democrat MP's all-night sit-ins have become something of a tradition on the eve of the annual State Opening of Parliament. For several year's Mr Russell has staked a claim to table the first Early Day Motions.
 
Mr Russell's Motion at number 10 is titled "Campaign to Save the Great British Pub" in which he raises the decline in numbers of public houses and calls on the Government to support The Campaign for Real Ale's "Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub" campaign.