The most popular early day motion in the current parliament is EDM 210 which is dedicated to 'Community public houses'.
To date 275 MPs have signed the EDM which "recognises the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs" and "urges the Government to implement a package of policies which will help secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs".
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was quick to claim credit. Commenting in December 2010, the group's public affairs team said:
"This is a great achievement, considering that there are almost 1200 EDMs in total! The jump in signatures came as a direct result of the actions of CAMRA members in specific constituencies, who used the CAMRA campaign site to contact their MPs and ask them to sign up.
"We are delighted that EDM 210 has achieved the highest number of signatures. We would like to thank all members who have contacted their MP and asked them to sign, and urge members who haven't yet asked to do so as soon as possible! We hope the overwhelming parliamentary support will lead to vital reforms which will benefit well-run community pubs."
Needless to say these "vital reforms" don't include an amendment to the smoking ban, despite the clear evidence linking the closure of thousands of pubs to the introduction of the ban.
Truth is, CAMRA has never shown the slightest interest in fighting or amending the ban or even engaging with those who support separate smoking rooms. We invited both the director and the chairman to the Save Our Pubs & Clubs reception at the House of Commons in June and neither bothered even to reply, which says it all really.
But what really struck me about EDM 210 was the fact that two of the five sponsors include Sir Peter Bottomley (Conservative) and Bob Russell (Lib Dem) who are also members of the ASH-run All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health.
Also noticeable is the number of MPs who support both the smoking ban and "community public houses".
Don't these numpties understand that the fate of the latter may be connected to the former and that the only way to "secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs" may be to give landlords the option of a separate smoking room like this?
Doh!