Nigel Farage says Brits will revolt if government shuts pubs early

We shall fight them in the pubs!

Nigel Farage predicted the U.K.’s drinkers would desert Labour en masse if it dares to press ahead with a rethink of opening hours for the country’s cherished pubs.

The Brexiteer leader of the Reform UK Party weighed in Monday night after a government minister suggested “tightening up the hours of operation” of drinking establishments in a bid to improve public health.

His colleagues have since denied any such plan is under consideration.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne told delegates at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool Monday that while Britain’s new government is “not the fun police” or “supernanny,” there may be economic and moral arguments for adjusting opening hours.

He said the current state of the nation’s health is “morally reprehensible,” and cited huge pressure on the country’s National Health Service from excessive drinking.

“These are discussions that we have got to have – even if it’s just about tightening up on some of the hours of operation; particularly where there are concerns that people are drinking too much,” he said, in remarks first reported by the Telegraph.

Under current rules, most British bars and pubs close at 11 p.m., although the last Labour government allowed venues to apply for a 24-hour drinking license in a bid to get binge-drinking Brits to pace themselves.

Farage, a lifelong libertarian who has already hit out at proposals to curb smoking outside pubs and bars, pounced on Gwynne’s comments and said they would damage Labour in its traditional heartlands, known as the “Red Wall.”

“Labour are middle class, middle managers who don’t drink in pubs,” he posted on X. “Their Red Wall supporters will come to Reform.”

Gwynne’s hint at a rethink has been met with strong denials from the government that any such plan is under consideration.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is categorically untrue that the government is considering changing alcohol licensing hours.”

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today program Tuesday, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden quipped: “We’ve got a day left of the conference and if that’s on the agenda, I’m going to table an emergency resolution myself in order to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

He added: “I think we’ve been clear about that overnight, the pub’s a great part of the British tradition and we’ve got no plans to change the opening hours in that way.”