Trade's fightback reaches No 10

It was not just Barack Obama who caused a stir for security guards at Downing Street this week, but a trade delegation including a wolf glove puppet also descended on Number 10 on March 31.

The event was organised by Catherine Monahan, managing director of Le Beast Wines and Cllink! Wines, who handed in a petition calling on the government to cut duty to £1 on a bottle of wine. She was joined at Number 10 by a joint delegation from the trade press including Richard Siddle, editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit, Rosie Davenport, editor of Off Licence News and Charlotte Hay. executive publisher of The Drinks Business who all handed in their own representations to the Prime Minister.

Monahan said: "This is just the start of what we all need to be doing and the important thing today was to involve the public as well as trade."

Members of the public joined in the protest on the street outside Downing Street holding up placards featuring the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, and the slogan "Darling, haven't you had enough?" Many signed up following a Twitter and Facebook recruitment campaign for the event.

You can find out more about the "A Pound A Bottle" campaign from Le Beast Wines at its website www.apoundabottle.co.uk.

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