SOME 200 pubs have joined a Sun-backed campaign to ban Labour MPs — as Rachel Reeves’ local said she is no longer welcome.
The move comes after the Chancellor whacked struggling boozers with tax hikes at the Budget.
Pub chiefs called for an emergency tax cut last night.
Earlier this month, The Sun revealed pubs across Britain were joining its Taxed Out campaign to bar politicians from Sir Keir Starmer’s party.
Ms Reeves was barred by her local this weekend.
Landlord Martin Knowles warned her not to drop in for a festive pint at the Marsh Inn in Leeds after being hit with a £2,500 rise in business rates.
The Chancellor posed for a snap with Mr Knowles in July last year after Labour won the election.
Mr Knowles told the Mail on Sunday: “I thought I’d ban them all, including our local MP, as they are not doing our industry any favours.
“Our clientele seem quite happy with the ban.”
Last night industry chiefs said bans would ease if Ms Reeves introduced relief on business rates for pubs.
Emma McClarkin, chief of the British Beer and Pub Association, told The Sun: “The pub is a focus for communities, especially at Christmas, so it’s no surprise their future is on our customers’ minds. We’re calling for the introduction of a pub-specific relief to business rates.”
Nearly 5,000 small pubs are set to pay hefty business rates for the first time as rateable values rise next year.
The Government is also replacing temporary rate relief with a less generous system next year, which means a typical pub’s annual bill could jump by £6,000.
A Tory spokesman told The Sun: “Labour have put the hammer to pubs with their endless tax rises and red tape burdens.”
