We are hearing that David Cameron and his government are looking to impose minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks to address problems with alcoholism and drink fueled social issues.
At the same time, the Palace of Westminster where the government resides has a subsidised bar, paid for by the taxpayer, to ensure MPs and other staff can enjoy cheap drink.
If this is not dual standards then I don't know what is. Apparently there is already a history of drink fueled problems within this bar.
At the very least, the subsidies in the bar should be removed so that drinkers there pay the same prices as anyone else in pubs in that part of London does. I think however it should be taken further perhaps and closed completely. MPs are already capable of making daft decisions on their own without adding beer goggles to their armoury of decision making tools.
How many private sector employers actively encourage drinking during the working day by providing a bar AND subsidising the drink costs. In many of the workplaces I have encountered drinking is frowned upon during the working day and some go as far as to have a condition of employment that you may be required to take a breathalyser test (certainly in my last employment where you could be asked to go home if the test was positive as safety standards could be breached)
I would also point out to the government that many alcohol fueled problems are caused by drinkers in night clubs and bars where prices are already exorbitant. A minimum price will have most impact upon the moderate social drinker and not address the problem at all.
