In a dramatic turn of events in Leeds, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has found herself officially unwelcome at her own local pub.
Landlord Martin Knowles of the Marsh Inn has taken a firm stance against the Labour Government’s tax policies, putting up a sign making clear that all Labour MPs, including Reeves, are not allowed inside.
The reason? Spiralling business rates and tax hikes that, according to Mr. Knowles, are pushing pubs across the country to the brink.
Business Rates Hike Pushes Pubs to the Edge
Mr. Knowles, who was previously photographed with Reeves at the pub last July, has seen his business rates jump by £2,500.
Alongside rising National Insurance costs and a minimum wage increase, the impact on pubs has been severe.
Hundreds of venues have struggled to stay afloat, with nearly three pubs going bust each week in the six months leading to October—an 85% increase compared to 2024.
Estimates suggest that another 2,000 pubs could face closure next year if the Government does not reconsider its approach.
Landlords Across the Country Follow Suit
The Marsh Inn is far from alone. Publicans nationwide are taking a stand, banning Labour MPs from their premises in protest.
High-profile examples include TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who displays a similar “No Labour MPs” sign at his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
Clarkson has cited business rate hikes—from £28,000 to over £50,000 annually—as a key reason for his protest.
For many publicans, the mounting costs and shrinking customer spending have made running a pub increasingly unsustainable.
Public Backlash and Political Commentary
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith spoke out on Saturday, echoing public sentiment: “Business rates hikes are hammering pubs with eye-watering increases.
It is no wonder Rachel Reeves is barred from her local.”
Meanwhile, Melanie Knowles, wife of the Marsh Inn landlord, said, “Every single day is a struggle.
Other people are shutting the doors on these places because they just can’t make a living anymore.”
Socialising, she notes, is one of the first areas people cut back on amid rising costs, further impacting pubs’ survival.
Reeves Defends Policies Amid Controversy
Despite mounting pressure from the hospitality industry, Rachel Reeves has not promised to ease back on tax rises.
Speaking to the I Paper, she stressed the volatility of the global economy and refrained from committing to future Budget adjustments, saying only that her policies aim to make further tax changes “less necessary.”
Industry Voices Warn of Widespread Closures
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, warned that sky-high business rates are leaving publicans at their wits’ end, threatening the very existence of pubs nationwide.
Dawn Hopkins, vice-chair of the Campaign for Pubs, added that the Government is in “complete denial” about the consequences of its policies, calling the promised lower business rates a “broken promise” and “literally unaffordable for pubs.”
Treasury Claims Support for Pubs
In response to the growing controversy, a Treasury spokesperson highlighted the Government’s £4.3 billion support package for pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
Measures include easing licensing rules, allowing more pavement drinking and one-off events, maintaining cuts to alcohol duty on draught pints, and capping Corporation Tax.
There is also support to help businesses facing sharp increases in business rate valuations.
A Festive Pub Scene Under Strain
For now, the Marsh Inn and hundreds of other pubs remain under pressure, caught between rising costs and declining revenues.
Landlords like Martin Knowles are taking a stand, showing that political decisions have very real, local consequences—sometimes as visible as a “No Labour MPs” sign on the pub door.
Whether Reeves and her colleagues will heed these warnings remains to be seen, but for now, festive pints in Leeds are off-limits to the Chancellor.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn