It’s not every day that a pub ban becomes national news, but this December, a wave of protest has swept through the United Kingdom’s hospitality sector as more than 250 pubs, restaurants, and hotels have barred Labour MPs from their premises. The campaign, which began just over a week ago, reflects deep frustration among business owners who say government policies are pushing their industry to the breaking point.
The spark for this movement was lit in Dorset, where Andy Lennox, landlord of the Old Thatch pub, and James Fowler, owner of the Larderhouse in Bournemouth, decided enough was enough. On the first Saturday of December, Mr. Fowler put up the now-infamous ‘No Labour MPs’ stickers in his establishment—a move that quickly caught fire. "It’s springing up in different towns," Lennox told The Telegraph. "By the end of the week, it will be all over the place. We’re getting requests from across the UK for stickers and advice on how to get involved, from bosses as far away as Clacton-on-Sea."
What’s driving this unusual protest? It’s a potent mix of rising taxes, the end of pandemic-era relief, and a sense that the government isn’t listening. For many in hospitality, the latest Budget was the final straw. Pandemic-era business rates relief, which had cushioned venues during hard times, is set to drop from 75% to 40% in April 2026, and for some, disappear entirely. At the same time, many have seen their venues’ rateable values unexpectedly increase—meaning their bills are set to skyrocket.
Industry body UKHospitality has warned that an average pub’s business rates will rise by 76% within three years. The organization fears this could result in thousands of job losses. Andy Lennox, whose own rates bill is set to more than double, summed up the mood: "I don’t think the Labour Government understands what they’re doing. They’re taxing hospitality into extinction, and dressing it up as cutting rates and helping us."
But it’s not just about the numbers. The protest is, in many ways, a last resort. As Lennox explained to the BBC, the industry has mounted "huge, professional campaigning efforts," including contacting every MP and hand-delivering letters to the Chancellor’s door. Yet, he says, "Everyone is fed up because the Labour government hasn’t listened and instead has taxed us more. What’s really angered people is they’re acting as if they haven’t—it’s as if somebody has pushed the wrong button and, instead of taxing Amazon and the warehouses, they’re taxing us instead."
James Fowler, who started the sticker campaign, insists the move is not personal. "I told Tom it wasn’t personal. He’s a great local MP—I voted for him—but this isn’t a local issue. We set this up so it could go national. We want people talking across the whole country—and I don’t mind putting my neck on the line."
For Labour MPs caught in the crossfire, the ban is more than just an inconvenience. Bournemouth East’s Tom Hayes, who has worked closely with local business owners and even brought them to No 11 Downing Street to meet the Chancellor, said the protest is making it harder for him to do his job. "Banning me stops me doing my job. I can’t listen to business owners, represent them to the Government, and secure the powers and support they need. I’m fighting for Bournemouth to get a fair share and for small businesses to get what they need. Now, however, my arm is being tied behind my back by the very businesses I meet often, care about, work closely with, and bring to No 11."
Hayes also lamented the timing and tone of the campaign: "It’s the Christmas season, it’s meant to be the joyful season, but the Larderhouse and other businesses with a ‘no Labour MPs’ sticker in the window are undermining the inclusive culture that business owners locally have helped to nourish. My job has just got a million times harder because I can’t go and bang the drum for businesses with the Chancellor if I can’t speak to business owners because they’re banning me from doing so." He added, "We need to get politics off the high street full stop, but especially at Christmas, when frankly we have enough playground politics over in parliament, we have enough division in our country."
Some landlords, like Rick Cressman of the Nailcote Hotel in Warwickshire, have taken the protest even further. Cressman said he banned Labour MPs after being forced to cut the number of young staff he employs by 25% following last year’s Budget. "They push up the costs of employing young people and then say they’re funding training programmes for young people, including in hospitality. Why do everything you can to wreck the industry, then throw hundreds of millions at job creation in it? It makes no sense—it’s bonkers. Why should we welcome them into our venues when they give us nothing we ask for? I don’t think anyone in the industry should welcome a Labour MP through their doors until they start listening."
Meanwhile, Downing Street has defended its record, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman pointing to a £4.3 billion support package for pubs, restaurants, and cafes. According to the spokesman, this intervention reduced expected bill rises from 45% to just 4%, maintained draught beer duty cuts, eased license rules, and capped corporation tax. "These measures show we’re backing hospitality not abandoning it," he said, as reported by the BBC. The government has also announced that business rate increases will be capped at 15% for most properties and £800 for the smallest, with new, permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure starting in April 2026. For small venues, these will be the lowest rates in more than 30 years, promising "certainty and stability for the future."
Yet, many in the industry remain unconvinced. UKHospitality disputes the government’s figures, both for the support package and the impact of intervention. The UK’s 20% VAT rate for hospitality is among the highest in Europe—most countries charge about half that. The Liberal Democrats have called for a cut to 5%, with landlord Lennox arguing that reducing VAT would "solve all the issues," claiming, "Cutting VAT will generate more growth and more taxation, so the government will make the money back but we’re allowed to make a profit first."
The protest is not without risk. Lennox acknowledged, "The ban is a risky move for us to make and I understand the bridges I have burned. Tom Hayes is a good guy and he has engaged with us and signed letters, so there’s nothing wrong with Tom. But his frustration with landlords should be directed at his government, not the people who are having to protest like this."
As the campaign continues to spread, with more venues joining each day, the debate over how best to support the UK’s pubs and restaurants shows no sign of cooling off. For now, the ‘No Labour MPs’ stickers remain a symbol of an industry fighting to be heard, and a political controversy that’s unlikely to be resolved over a quiet pint.
