👉 Farage attacks ‘Islington cycling elite’ drink-drive plan as brewer warns Reeves is crushing pubs

Nigel Farage has launched a furious attack on Labour’s proposed new drink-driving limit, branding it a “ridiculous” policy dreamt up by the “Islington cycling elite” with no understanding of life in rural Britain.

The Reform UK leader warned on Wednesday that cutting the legal drink-drive limit so that even a single pint could put motorists over the line would spell disaster for pubs, particularly in the countryside.

Under plans announced by the Government on Tuesday, ministers will consult on reducing the legal limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms – bringing it into line with Scotland. The move would mean that for some drivers, especially women and smaller people, even one standard drink could be enough to break the law due to differences in how alcohol is processed.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Farage said the policy was being designed by “the Islington, north London, bicycling classes” who failed to grasp the realities of transport outside major cities.

“The drink-drive thing is absolutely ridiculous – wholly unnecessary,” he said. “We’ve had this system since 1967 and it’s worked pretty effectively. If you look at road casualty figures, Britain is now incredibly safe – much safer than France and way safer than Germany.

“We’ve reached a level on accidents beneath which it’s almost impossible to go. There will always be some degree of human error.”

Mr Farage warned the change would be a “death knell for country pubs across Britain”, compounding the pressure already being felt by landlords facing higher business rates and increases to the minimum wage.

The row comes as a Labour minister was forced to deny that the tougher limit is intended to stop people enjoying a “great night out”, amid mounting anger from the hospitality industry.

Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame – Britain’s oldest brewery – issued a stark warning, saying the damage being done to pubs under Rachel Reeves could rival “what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners”.

“I think there is a real risk that Rachel Reeves is doing to our sector what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners,” he said. Speaking to The Times, Mr Neame described the Government’s approach as “socially, morally and economically wrong”.

Other industry leaders echoed the concern. Chris Jowsey, chief executive of Admiral Taverns, said a stricter drink-drive limit would be “another blow to rural pubs in particular” and called on Labour to abandon planned business rate increases.

Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie, who oversees around 2,600 pubs, has also warned that Reeves’ tax rises “could be the tipping point that changes the shape of the industry forever”.

UK Hospitality estimates that small venues such as pubs, bars and cafés will face a £318 million increase in business rates over the next three years.

Matt Todd, landlord of the Wonston Arms near Winchester, said the industry was “screaming” and could not absorb any more costs. He claimed his rates bill had “gone through the roof” despite what he described as Government “smoke and mirrors”.

However, the Department for Transport played down the impact of the proposed changes, pointing to studies suggesting there has been no significant long-term damage to pubs in Scotland since the drink-drive limit was lowered there in 2014.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told LBC: “Rural pubs still do exist in Scotland. The law changed there a decade ago, and we’re not proposing anything different.

“The vast majority of people are responsible and don’t drink and drive when they go to the pub.”

The drink-drive controversy forms part of Labour’s wider road safety strategy, which includes mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70, stricter rules for new drivers, tougher penalties for uninsured motorists, and the possible introduction of alcohol interlock devices for convicted drink drivers.