A former Tory staffer is on a mission to visit and drink a pint in all 650 UK constituencies, aiming to draw attention to the plight of struggling pubs and to urge the Government to take action. Jay Chan, a former assistant to ex-MP Marco Longhi, is concerned that anti-smoking regulations and taxes on pubs may lead to their closure. The 18-year-old plans to make stops at a pub in each constituency, downing a drink in one go while engaging with regular patrons and activists from various political backgrounds.
The idea was sparked during a visit to a Nottingham pub garden where Chan challenged locals to support the Tories if he could down a pint, eventually leading him to down 10 pints in Midlands constituencies. To fund his future trips to London and other major cities across the UK, Chan has set up a GoFundMe page. He believes pubs play a crucial role in uniting communities and hopes to raise awareness about their significance.
Chan advocates for government intervention to reduce taxes, extend opening hours, and reconsider the ban on smoking in pub gardens. His social media posts showcase his talent for chugging pints in around eight seconds, garnering over 5,000 followers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Originally from Hong Kong, Chan emphasises the need to protect British pub culture, suggesting measures such as easier listing of pubs as historical buildings and local councils’ promotion of pubs and assistance in their sales.
With a fundraising target of £2,000 for his London trip, Chan plans to direct any additional funds to charity. His motivation for the challenge stems from his belief that pubs are an integral part of British culture that needs to be preserved. Chan’s initiative has attracted both local figures and councillors from various political parties, reflecting a diverse following supporting his cause. To support Jay’s mission, donations can be made via his GoFundMe page.