Mark Blacklock’s insightful account of Samuel Smith’s despotic policy of “shuttering” pubs, including highlighting its negative consequences for the social life of villages and neighbourhoods, presents an opportunity for the Labour government to demonstrate its commitment to preserving communities (The long read, 19 December).
Labour could commit itself to enact legislation to allow the compulsory purchase of public houses which, although in ownership, are intentionally not operating and remain empty for over two years. Provision could be made for these pubs to be marketed and this would include reinstating the community ownership funding scheme Labour closed this week.
In regard to the latter, the recent (August 2024) government criteria for ownership included: to support community groups to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community; to strengthen community ownership across the UK; and to strengthen the social infrastructure that helps communities to thrive.
If successful, this process would add to the growing number of community pubs where all are welcome – a far cry from the negative experiences detailed by Blacklock in his article.
Mike Stein
Pudsey, West Yorkshire
• Mark Blacklock rather underrates Thomas Fairfax, who is dismissed as “a civil war general”. Lord Fairfax was commander-in-chief of the parliamentary army and instrumental in the restoration of King Charles II. Oliver Cromwell was Fairfax’s cavalry commander.
And when Blacklock “sat in the knave of the Norman church”, we must hope that the scoundrel was duly crushed.
Rodney Brooke
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
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