Minimum price for alcohol - has the government got it right?

Today the government announced its proposals for tackling binge drinking with a minimum price for alcohol based upon 40p per unit of alcohol.

As a licensee working in the pub trade for almost 20 years, and as a committed Labour Party supporter, I actualy find myself agreeing with the government and agreeing with these proposals, I like them for several reasons.
These proposals, if implemented, will mean that pubs and most bars will have nothing to worry about, infact the proposals could actualy help to reverse the decline in the traditional British pub.

The people with the most to fear are the large supermarkets and chains of discount booze retailers, the smaller off-licences and independent retail outlets will gain because they will be in a better position to compete with the big boys, to be fair, it will also mean that if you like to buy a cheap bottle of vodka for £8 or £9 then in future you will have to pay £12, and a fairly strong bottle of wine will be no less than around £3.60.

The biggest target will be cheap strong lager and cider which in many cases would double in price

Those that have advocated a general accross the board increase in the price of all alcohol would unfairly target the sensible social drinker who enjoys going to his or her pub two or three nights per week for a few pints, I believe that most people will accept that to do nothing about the problem not an option, I happen to believe that this is the fairest way to go.

The Supermarkets will be the prime beneficiary of any enforced "floor" on retail pricing.

If ever-escalating prices were effective in reducing Public Demand there should be fewer vehicles on the road than in 1970.

I'm all for it especially when this will also apply to the subsidised bars and eateries in the Palace of Westminster!

We have quite recently had a drunken brawl in the place, involving Police and Judicial intervention!

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!

RIGHT?

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The trouble is responsible drinkers will be hit across the board also. As the coalition cuts kick in , alcohol is a mechanism to free one self from the daily hardship , if only for a few hours, the government know this full well , seems like one big blueprint to crush the morale and will of everyday folk, the petrol £1.40 a litre and going to rise , seems a very nasty agenda is in place here and across the world. Dickens will be spinning in his proverbial grave.........no turkey for christmas , got to heat or eat arggghhhhhhhh.

I'm trying to seek reassurance about my Mess Bill.
40p. for a Chota Peg? What's the world coming to, eh Colonel?

Where's the Home Brew Kit?

Shed? Attick, Garage or did "Nana Chuckitoot" get 'er 'ands on it and do the dastardly?

The story continues . . . . . . . . . .

If they ever discover blood in my alcohol stream, I'll surrender.

Don't drink myself. But Astra has given me an idea.

A shebeen to sell poteen. And the recipe is on the internet. Hmm.

Note for tomorrow. Buy the brewing gear, black out the greenhouse.

by oftenwrong Today at 9:43 pm



If they ever discover blood in my alcohol stream, I'll surrender.

Ah. You're the one that went to the blood donor sessions and was sent to the brewery to donate, are you.

Who, me? Never touched a drop, hossifer.

Guid Konsternoon Aftable!!

by astra Today at 10:23 pm



Guid Konsternoon Aftable!!

You've been at that special cocoa AGAIN.

Rumbled!

Surely they won't dare to mess with the Buckie !