MPs demand cheaper booze ......... for themselves!

Our politicians live in a parallel universe – of that there is no doubt, no possible doubt whatever!

 

A short while back they were mulling over a minimum price for alcohol in order to combat so-called ‘binge drinking’. The proposal would have made no impact on hardened drinkers; they would simply spend more of their benefit money on a drop of the hard stuff. Of course, it would have done wonders for the bottom line at Diageo and other producers, but that was not quite the point.

 

And it would have penalised the many for the sins of the few.

 

The problem has in any event been grossly over-hyped. In fact, alcohol sales have shown a substantial decline over the past few years, especially amongst the 16 to 24 years age group who are those most likely to get wasted of a Saturday night, although in these times there are more than enough reasons to take a little of what you fancy.

 

But if Cameron really wishes to impose some control, the simple answers is to tax off-sales so that supermarkets will not be able to sell booze at a lower price than bottled water and thus drive pubs out of business.

 

And yet, what do we have now?

 

In these austerity times, MPs are calling for lower prices in the House of Commons bars. Their catering is already subsidized to the tune of nearly £6 million a year, and they pay a good deal less for their drinks than in any of the Westminster pubs.

 

In my book, if binge drinking needs to be controlled a good place to start would be the House of Commons bars.