Tim Martin has called for more EU migration to help tackle the shortage of bar staff working in the UK.
The Wetherspoons boss, who campaigned for Brexit and even printed pro-leave material on 1.9 million beer mats, urged prime minister Boris Johnson to introduce a “reasonably liberal immigration system” controlled by Britain rather than the European Union.
He recommended the government adopt a visa scheme for workers from the bloc to help the country’s pubs and restaurants hire more staff as they recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes as roughly one in ten hospitality workers are thought to have left the sector over the past 12 months, leading to an estimated shortfall of about 188,000 workers, according to recruitment website Caterer.com.
It’s fair to say there hasn’t been much sympathy for the beer boss, who was one of the most vocal supporters of ending freedom of movement, as these responses will illustrate…
Reactions
1.
Why wouldn’t people want to jump through bunch of bureaucratic hoops then get treated like shit at the border for chance to work in Weatherspoons without ability to use that as stepping stone to better job prospects and potentially build life in the UK? https://t.co/I2Cd5FTTHg
— Pawel Swidlicki (@pswidlicki) June 1, 2021
2.
Why wouldn’t people want to jump through bunch of bureaucratic hoops then get treated like shit at the border for chance to work in Weatherspoons without ability to use that as stepping stone to better job prospects and potentially build life in the UK? https://t.co/I2Cd5FTTHg
— Pawel Swidlicki (@pswidlicki) June 1, 2021
3.
Tim sowing: Ha ha, fuck yeah. This is great.
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) June 1, 2021
Tim reaping: https://t.co/WfKQcQvb5Q
4.
and when he finds out who caused this shortage of EU workers he’s going to be very cross etc https://t.co/ZriRVcb62C
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) June 1, 2021
5.
and when he finds out who caused this shortage of EU workers he’s going to be very cross etc https://t.co/ZriRVcb62C
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) June 1, 2021
6.
Wetherspoons boss calls for more EU migration to tackle bar staff shortage
— Russ Jones (@RussInCheshire) June 1, 2021
There aren’t enough foreheads in the world for the amount of slapping this demands.
https://t.co/7JXFXjouem
7.
I see Tim Martin, aka Wetherspoons pro-Brexit gammon Thundercat, now wants EU migration to help his staff shortage.
— cluedont (@cluedont) June 1, 2021
8.
You couldn’t make it up is an over-used line, but really – you couldn’t make it up: https://t.co/4G92Xzk9Wj
— Chris Grey (@chrisgreybrexit) June 1, 2021
9.
You couldn’t make it up is an over-used line, but really – you couldn’t make it up: https://t.co/4G92Xzk9Wj
— Chris Grey (@chrisgreybrexit) June 1, 2021
10.
My personal campaign to superglue commemorative Brexit 50p coins to the pavement adjacent to the smoking area of Wetherspoon pubs continues unabated.
— Tickling-Sticks (@eggs_horse) June 1, 2021
11.
This project fear got a lot of stuff right didn’t it! pic.twitter.com/skG7C9mwBM
— Mister Double B (@BoyceBailey) June 1, 2021
12.
You couldn’t make this up!
— Gina Miller (@thatginamiller) June 2, 2021
Pro #Brexit #wetherspoons boss Tim Martin calls for MORE EU migration to staff bars (so he can carry on making lots of money)
Why doesn’t he employ people in the UK made redundant due to #Covid ?https://t.co/KKzWv0RKYf
13.
Tim Martin calls for more EU migration to staff bars, after Brexit causes 90% downturn in irony and self-awareness.
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) June 2, 2021
14.
Tim Martin in 2016: “Employers like my company will just have to work harder and pay more.That’s the way the world goes round.”
— Best for Britain (@BestForBritain) June 2, 2021
Tim Martin in 2021: “WAAAAAAAAAH I CAN’T GET CHEAP LABOUR COZ BREXIT WAAAAAAAAH.”
Thanks to @Haggis_UK ~AApic.twitter.com/EozLTlWE1D
15.
It’s official folks. I’ve found a real, tangible benefit of brexit that I’m sure will delight all of you…
— John Lewis (@JohnLewisEU) June 2, 2021
Tim Martin’s fucked???
16.
As has I’ve said before, across the EU, we speak pretty good English & can understand the nonsense coming out of “#Brexit fans” like Tim Martin who pushed for this rubbish. https://t.co/wFp9hijRyi
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) June 2, 2021
Related: Vote Leave video of Tim Martin dismissing job fears resurfaces
