"Political U-turns come in various forms, and as news of the latest government reversal drifted out, this one connected to the plight of the pub trade, Labour MPs could take comfort in one thing: at least it happened quickly. While last summer's change of stance on benefit reforms was forced on Downing Street by open rebellion, and those for pensioners' winter fuel payments and inheritance tax for farmers followed months of dissent, the decision to revisit decisions on business rates took a matter of weeks."
"It would have been better if we hadn't done it at all, but at least it was reversed quickly, said one MP about the promised new look at business rates valuations, which the hospitality trade say would have seen major increases for pubs and hotels. Maybe they are learning. And to give the government credit, they have been in proper listening mode over this. It was the right decision, and it's not a sign of weakness to see there is a problem."
Government reversed proposed changes to business rates valuations for pubs and hotels within weeks after intense pressure from the hospitality trade and a well-organised group of more than 30 Labour MPs. Last summer's change of stance on benefit reform was forced by open rebellion, while alterations to pensioners' winter fuel payments and inheritance tax for farmers followed months of dissent. Labour backbenchers prepared an amendment to the post-budget finance bill if no action occurred. Tractor-based protests and sustained campaigning prompted earlier inheritance tax adjustments for farms. Some MPs returned to constituencies and found themselves barred from local pubs.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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