New drink-drive limit dreamt up by 'Islington cycling elite', blasts Farage as Britain's oldest brewer warns Reeves doing to pubs what Thatcher did to miners
The Reform UK leader warned that plans to cut the drink-driving limit so that even a single pint could see drivers breaking the law will be a 'death knell for country pubs'.
By SAM MERRIMAN, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT and EMILY HAWKINS
Published: 23:04 GMT, 7 January 2026 | Updated: 00:20 GMT, 8 January 2026
Labour's 'ridiculous' new drink-drive limit has been dreamt up by the Islington cycling elite, Nigel Farage said on Wednesday.
The Reform UK leader warned that plans to cut the drink-driving limit so that even a single pint could see drivers breaking the law will be a 'death knell for country pubs'.
Mr Farage claimed the law was 'being designed by the Islington, north London, bicycling classes' who did not understand transport in rural Britain.
It comes as a Labour minister was forced to deny that plans to tighten the drink-drive limit are aimed at stopping people enjoying a 'great night out'.
Meanwhile the boss of Britain's oldest brewery warned that the devastation wrought on pubs by Rachel Reeves may be on the same level as 'what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners'.
Under plans announced on Tuesday, the Government will consult on slashing the limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms to bring it in line with Scotland.
This means that even one standard drink could be risky for some drivers - particularly women and smaller people - as alcohol is processed at varying speeds depending on age, weight and metabolism.
Any changes to drink-drive limits are likely to be a further blow to pubs - particularly those in rural areas - after hikes to business rates and the minimum wage left some landlords struggling.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said: 'This is a death knell for country pubs across Britain. Labour has no connection to how real life works'
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood insisted that the change would not stop people having a 'great night out'
Mr Farage told a press conference on Wednesday that the move would be a 'death knell for country pubs across Britain'.
'The drink-drive thing is absolutely ridiculous,' he said. 'Wholly unnecessary. We've been where we've been since 1967, it's worked pretty effectively.
'If you actually look at road casualty figures... we're now incredibly safe on our roads. Much safer than France, way safer than Germany.