Richard Siddle comment January 2010

Having spent eight hours waiting frozen in my car through the night for the AA to rescue me and my broken down car earlier this week I had a bitterly cold first hand experience of the Big Freeze. 

The nationwide duvet of snow may have made the new year blues a little easier to handle, but for businesses, big or small, this weather could not have come at a worse time. 

The fact so much of the UK drinks sector, be it restaurants, bars, retailers, wholesalers or distributors have been able to cope with minimum disruption is a tribute to the professionalism, dedication and efficiency of the UK drinks supply chain.

The trade is going to have to call on all those reserves of collaboration and teamwork for the restof 2010. In many ways 'The Big Freeze' is an indication of what we can expect for the rest of the year. 

The on-trade having to fight for every pound it gets, supermarkets cashing in on deal junkie consumers and specialists still trying to provide a unique service to their local community and discerning drinkers.

All against a backdrop of backbiting and attacks from the health industry and reactionary political lobby that sees the alcohol sector than nothing more than peddlers of evil goods.

In many ways 2010 looks like being a continuation of the themes and trends of 2009. But with a significant difference. In this election year the clamour for a crackdown - or at least a perceived crackdown- on alcohol and its many distributors will reach fever pitch. 

It is too early to say what any incumbent Conservative government might do for the reality of power is somewhat different to posturing at the Opposition dispatch box.

The behind the scenes shenanigans on the House of Commons Health Select Committee and the internal disagreements about what recommendations it should make on alcohol (see page 9) reflects the political football that drink has become.

Only by sticking together, working together and presenting a responsible collective spirit will we keep the stays quo.

Happy New Year to you all - and has anyone got a nice reliable family car they would like to sell?

• Harpers Says...