Suffolk pub offers free pints to black lab owners to mock Labour minister's 'far-right fantasy' jibe

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 4 October 2026.

The Trowel and Hammer in Cotton, Suffolk, is handing out free warm beer to black labrador owners after Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter branded the image of country pubs, warm ale and black labs a 'far-right nostalgic vision of Britain that never really existed'. Landlord Freddy Vaudrey, who owns a black labrador named Philip, called her remarks 'a stupid thing to say' and 'completely misaligned with the reality of pub life'. Riddell-Carpenter, who represents nearby Suffolk Coastal, made the comments at Labour's conference and admitted the prospect of the countryside being 'weaponised' at the next election keeps her 'awake at night'.

Riddell-Carpenter warned that 'the far right' will push a 'nostalgic vision' of Britain featuring fox hunting symbolism at the next election.

Vaudrey and his wife Becky spent three years restoring the pub 'to make sure it is there for future generations, still selling Suffolk warm ales'.

The pub's special offer pointedly invites punters to 'a pub that doesn't exist' — throwing the minister's own words back at her.