Lib Dem frontbencher Nick Harvey has tabled an Early Day Motion in the Commons supporting The Grocer's new campaign.

EDMs are a way for backbench MPs to express support or campaign on certain issues. From this week, all backbench MPs will be able to sign the motion and put pressure on the government to change its plans.

The North Devon MP agreed to support The Grocer's Push Back the Tax campaign after he was contacted by constituent and Premier retailer Lesley Brown, who had learned of the government's plans to reintroduce VAT on 1 January after reading about it in The Grocer.

"I choked on my cereal," wrote Brown, in a letter to The Grocer in support of the campaign.

Push Back the Tax calls for a one-month delay to the VAT rise, a suspension of the alcohol duty elevator in 2010, and an extension of trade credit insurance until the financial year-end.

The Grocer's campaign has received widespread support. M&S executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose, fresh from seeing off a challenge to his leadership at the agm, gave his full support. "The government says it is listening to business," he said. "Well, it should listen now. That's why we're happy to support the campaign."

The ACS is also spreading the message to its 33,000 members through email alerts, while wholesalers have offered to help by asking their customers to sign our petition to the Chancellor, Alistair Darling.

"We will certainly get behind the campaign and will put petition forms in all our 51 depots around the UK and ask our Best-one members to sign them too," said Bestway Cash & Carry MD Younus Sheikh. "Let's hope the Chancellor shows some common sense and understanding and listens to what business people are saying."

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