A CAMPAIGN led by a Wharfedale MP has been shortlisted for a national award.

Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) spearheaded the Fair Deal for Your Local initiative, to get the rules changed to prevent pub companies from exploiting publicans, over nearly two years.

The campaign, backed by ten industry groups, culminated in a Parliamentary victory last year when a bill amendment was added to ensure licensees would have the right to independent rent assessments.

PR Week, one of the main publications in the campaigning and lobbying sector, has now chosen the Fair Deal scheme as one of the Public Affairs category finalists for its annual awards.

Mr Mulholland said: "It is a huge honour for us to be nominated for such a major national award and make it on to the shortlist.

"The Fair Deal campaign certainly would not have been possible without everyone who volunteered their time and efforts to stand up for hardworking publicans, so it’s a proud achievement for us to have caused the last Government’s only defeat on a legislative vote.

"November 18, 2014, was a historic day for publicans, people power and fairness.

"I have greatly enjoyed coordinating the campaign and working with so many fantastic people to fight for hard-pressed publicans."

The Campaign for Real Ale, Federation of Small Businesses, and unions GMB and Unite were among the organisations that backed the campaign.