Conservative bid to stop extended drinking hours

The Conservatives are attempting to block government plans to introduce 24-hour drinking with a Commons vote.

The Tories are preparing to stage a Commons vote designed to annul the Statutory Instrument, which will bring the Licensing Act into full effect on November 24.

The vote is a little-used Parliamentary procedure, which the Tories claim will force all Labour MPs to go on the record and vote for or against the 24-hour drinking legislation.

Shadow Culture Secretary Theresa May said: “Labour’s licensing rules are in the last chance saloon – there is one final opportunity for the government to admit the laws need revision and improvement before they are introduced.

“Tony Blair once promised to be ‘tough on the causes of crime’, yet now he turns a blind eye to reckless changes, which will fuel even more violence and anti-social behaviour in the streets of Britain.”

Licensing Minister James Purnell defended the government plans on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme. He said that the Licensing Act was intended to treat people as “grown-ups” and said that the current opening hours fuelled binge drinking, because they closed early and people could end up ‘speed-drinking’ before the pubs closed.

However, on Monday the House of Lords voted to delay the legislation by six months, although the government is not likely to accept the ruling.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said: “Quite clearly the majority of the House of Lords saw a six month delay as a sensible approach to a policy, which is farcical and irresponsible.”

Ms May described the Lords vote as “another humiliating defeat for Labour”. She said: “It clearly shows the gulf between Tony Blair’s government and public opinion.”

The Liberal Democrats have supported the Tories’ plans. The party’s home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten said: “The tide of public opinion has turned against 24-hour drinking. Judges, doctors and many senior police have repeatedly warned the government against this course of action.

“Until binge drinking is under control, increasing the supply of alcohol will have a harmful effect on individuals and communities. The only responsible course of action is for the government to delay implementation of the Licensing Act.”

The result of the vote is expected at around 7pm.

The vote comes as the government announced plans to tackle alcohol related disorder. The £2.5 million nationwide campaign will clamp down on those who sell alcohol to under-eighteens, venues that promote irresponsible behaviour and drunken individuals who cause violent disorder.

(KMcA/SP)