The Campaign for Real Ale has used its annual Parliamentary Reception to launch the cornerstone of its general election campaigning: the CAMRA Charter.

The charter tackles a wide range of subjects related to the UK pub and real ale industry including support for community pubs, licensing law, the beer tie and taxation. CAMRA is calling on all election candidates to sign its charter and to pledge their support for Britain's pubs and pub goers.

Pictured right are Peter Hain MP and Cardiff CAMRA Chairman Ian Hill at the CAMRA Parliamentary Reception.

Read on for more information and to download the CAMRA Charter.

The principle pledges are:

• Promote the interests of Britain's 15m regular pub goers
• Champion the community importance of well-run pubs
• Support the re-balancing of alcohol taxation to protect well-run community pubs, small brewers and traditional cider producers
• Press reform of beer tie arrangements to ensure a fair deal for consumers, allow local brewers to sell their beers to local pubs and to deliver a sustainable future for Britain's pubs
• Seek to address issues of alcohol-related harm through a more targeted, nuanced policy approach that supports pubs which play a positive role in community life and provide a safe and responsible place to enjoy a drink