Hartlepool’s MP has attended an event in Westminster to add his support to a national campaign calling on football bosses to change promotion rules.

Jonathan Brash joined dozens of MPs to support the National League’s 3UP campaign which seeks a third promotion place in line with the rest of the professional football pyramid.

Politicians from all parties showed their backing for the campaign at Westminster Hall which is calling on English Football League (EFL) executives to change its rules.

The 3UP campaign aims to establish three promotion places into League Two of the English Football League (EFL), bringing it into line with the rest of the professional football pyramid.

MP Jonathan Brash is backing the 3Up football campaign.

placeholder image — MP Jonathan Brash is backing the 3Up football campaign.

Currently, just two teams in the fourth tier National League, which Hartlepool United play in, are promoted at the end of the season with the league champions going up automatically and six teams competing for the remaining place via play-offs.

But in the next league above, League Two, the three highest finishing teams are promoted with a fourth joining them by play-offs.

Mr Brash said: “3UP is about fairness. It is about making sure the football pyramid is not a closed shop, where the rules protect the few and punish everyone else.

“As Hartlepool United supporters, we see first hand what our club means to our town. It brings people together, backs local jobs and businesses, and gives Hartlepool something to be proud of.

MPs and other 3Up supporters at the Westminster Hall gathering.

“But right now the system is frozen in unfairness. A fairer pathway into the EFL would put clubs like ours on a level playing field when it comes to competing for promotion and that is why I am backing 3UP.”

The latest show of support was coordinated by Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West, and attended by Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State of the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

The EFL recently announced it would formally discuss the campaign next month by tabling 3UP as an agenda point for its “all-club” meetings. National League Chair Jack Pearce welcomed the discussions.

He said: “Now that the EFL has scheduled a formal debate of its own clubs, we suggest working in partnership with them to help secure a successful club vote and get 3UP in place for next season.”