The Hub of Conversation

The Glorious British Pub

What has always been a lively hub of conversation and opinion is now becoming a brand new place for the Gestapo, *sorry Government*, to monitor the level of conformity within the flock down at the local boozer.

Despite Mr Starmers’ assurances in protecting the Right to Free speech, unsurprisingly the Woke minority has whispered sweet nothings into his ear and developed an idea that is not dissimilar to a rather famous novel written by George Orwell. Except this is 2025 and not 1984.

Incoming: ‘The Ban On Banter’.

If it wasn’t bad enough that Pubs are being crippled financially by reducing our business rate relief from 75% to 40% and smashing us with the changes to NI Employer Contributions on top of everything else, we are now taking on the role of unpaid Diplomat and babysitter within our own homes!

Publicans will soon be expected to also monitor what customers may be discussing between themselves over a pint. If an employee then deems this offensive (irrespective of whether the conversation was even directed towards them), then Mr Starmer has demanded that the Publican takes ‘reasonable measures’ to protect the sensitive ears of adult employees that have actively chosen to work in this adult environment.

It goes without saying that the vast proportion of British people are very aware of what truly is not appropriate for public discussion. Aside from a few moronic individuals who pathetically attempt to sound important in order to justify being a complete dick, society has successfully constructed a set of non-negotiable unwritten beliefs and attitudes which maintain the function of being a tolerant and civil society and not a hateful entity.

Despite this, we are being pressured to change another much loved aspect of British Culture and Identity to suit a tiny percentage of people who know by shouting ‘I’m offended’ means that shits gonna hit the fan in their favour.

It is an occupational hazard of working in pubs that you simply won’t agree and you will end up listening to some things you don’t care for. I can also guarantee you will probably end up being bored to death by those who think 5 pints gives them a ticket to Parliament. This is what Pubs are about! Get over it!

9 times out of 10 anything pushing the boundaries a bit too far in earshot of others is very easily tackled with a simple, light-hearted, ‘is this conversation appropriate?’ 9 times out of 10 most patrons do change the conversation, or lower the volume, as we all have an unwritten set of values and behaviour that makes us a tolerant and civilised society.

But we are not sheep to the State and nor should we ever be. I take great umbrage in being expected to monitor a bit of banter with such stringency. It’s bad for business and completely unnecessary.

Will they be recompensation for loss of trade and reputation when Publicans enforce ‘reasonable measures’ but are left without their regulars as they now think it’s a crèche? Will they be compensation for loss of trade and customer reputation resultant from Vexatious tribunals? The banter ban, on face value, seems rather easy for some people to abuse to make a few quid by simply shouting ‘I’m offended and you didn’t care enough about it’.

I fear Britain is becoming a Nanny state and heading towards being incompatible with the Great British Pub by preventing discussion about anything except the status quo or what is not deemed acceptable by the state.

I strongly dislike I’m being forced to surrender to this as a result of a decision made by people who live with blinkers on planet cuckoo and have probably never ran a pub or worked in one. By someone who neither understands the consequences nor the logistics of enforcing a ‘Banter Ban’ in an adult alcohol fuelled environment. By someone who gives no regard to anybody else’s enjoyment except those who follow the status quo. By Someone who actively disregards the rights of a Publican to choose their own rules of conduct in their own premises. Why can’t we just accept that some people simply aren’t suited to bar work…

Because ultimately, it’s the silly banter and the varied conversation that makes the Great British Pub the Great British Pub. Please don’t spoil it Mr Starmer. We really are special and require preservation not annihilation.

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