Sir Graham Brady to head up Parliamentary wine group

Sir Graham Brady — the high profile chair of the 1922 committee and one the most well-connected MPs in the House of Commons — has been elected as the head of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Wine and Spirits. 

Brady, who visited the London Wine Fair this week, said he was very pleased to take up the role and looked forward to flying the flag for the UK’s outstanding wine and spirit sector.

“There are many challenges ahead for the trade and I intend to make sure Government understands how best to help support it,” he said.

Sir Graham, who is the MP for Altrincham and Sale West, is one of most senior MPs in the Conservatives, as well as being longest-serving chair of the history of the 1922 Committee, having worked with five prime ministers during his tenure (although obviously the last year has seen more than the usual level of turnover at the top). As such, he is possibly one of the most well-connected members in the House of Commons, although he has confirmed he will be stepping down from Parliament at the next election.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Wine and Spirits is one of a number of informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in a certain topic.

The MP visited the London Wine Fair this week London, he talked to members of the trade from across the wine and spirit sector to find out how they will be impacted by the new alcohol taxation system that comes into effect on 1 August.

“Talking to businesses at the London Wine Fair today it is clear that the new duty increases will have a damaging economic impact on the sector and it is imperative that we do all we can to avoid any job losses and unnecessary cost increases for consumers,” he said.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), which works closely with the group and acts as its secretariat, said he was delighted that MPs had elected such as experienced MP to head up the APPG for Wine and Spirits.

“He brings with him a passionate for our members’ products, a belief in fairness and a desire to help UKI businesses thrive,” he said. “We both believe enthusiastically that the world-renowned UK wine and spirit sector deserves much better support from the government.

“In particular Sir Graham understands that the ‘double whammy’ tax hike – the highest single increase for almost 50 years – which comes into force this summer is a particularly bitter blow for the UKs SME rich wine and fortified wine businesses.”

Speaking at a briefing at the LWF on Monday, Beale blasted the government’s failure to support the industry, notably its plans to “punish” wine and spirit businesses and consumers with a 10% duty hike for spirits as well as the “staggering” 20% duty on wine from 1 August.

“It is the largest increase in spirits duty since 1981 and in wine duty since 1975,” he said.

He noted however, that Sir Graham had already submitted a number of private questions in Parliament challenging the duty hikes.

“We hope that the Government listens to the concerns of British businesses and prevents punishing price rises for cash-strapped consumers,” he said.

In addition to the new chair, the APPG has re-endorsed father of the House, Sir Peter Bottomley, and deputy speaker Nigel Evans as officers, along with two new Labour members, Charlotte Nichols, the chair of the Pubs APPG and Marsha DeCordova, boosting its cross-party identity.

Brady replaces the Labour MP for Bermondsey, Neil Coyle, who has held the role since 2018, and co-chair Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden.