Isn't it time that all the bars in Parliament were permanently closed? There can be no justification for consuming alcohol in any work place, especially not taxpayer subsidised alcohol. MPs are very good at lecturing the general public on the evils of drink, but they are blind to the effects it has on themselves. The only word that fits the situation is “HYPOCRISY”.

From my experience in the work place, being under the effects of alcohol at work was a disciplinary offence. So why should Parliament be any different?
All politicians agree that alcohol consumption affects the judgement of a driver, so why isn't there legislation to deal with 'legislating whilst under the influence'?

This article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... f-cut.html identifies the level of subsidy to their alcohol and food that MPs benefit from when at The House. In these times of austerity when many of the general public are severely suffering as a direct result from grossly excessive taxation, the subsidy for MPs booze and food is most offensive. The offensiveness is aggravated by the fact that it is politicians who are primarily responsible for the economic mess that now requires the general public to suffer austerity measures to correct the political mess.
Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband and his friends have adopted the moral high-ground and kicked up an unholy row about the bonus to Stephen Hester of RBS. Now let us hear from Miliband a similar outburst of self-righteous anger against the evils of cheap alcohol within Parliament. After all, Miliband has withdrawn the whip from one of his own party members because of the effects of subsidised alcohol.

dont do as I do !!! do as I say, is the buzzwords to be a member.

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Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

yes , well i dont mind them drinking , but they should have 24 hours clear before making decisions
that affect us all .

The only thing that suprises me about the sheer hypocricy of our politicians is how we allow them to get away with it for so long.

Accomodation......subsidised

Food....subsidised

Booze....subsidised

Travel..... subsidised

All by the taxpayer. What on earth are their expenses for ?

I am sick and tired of them bleating on about the morals ( or lack of ) of the British public, when they quite clearly have none of their own. The trough is empty, now get off our backs and start to pay your own way before criticising us. Liars, cheats and fraudsters the lot of them.

There is absolutely nothing I can add to this thread. It has all been said.....

The system is broken, we do not have a real choice. Tough on us, short of a revolution (or experiencing something like what Greece has) we are not about to get one anytime soon.

There may not be anything more that can be said. But this is a public forum and there is a small chance that the political classes may learn a little something about themselves – not that they care very much about what we think of them. But they are human, and even they have feelings and sensitivities, even if they have been seared.

So many people say that MPs have no idea about the real world as they are stuck behind their desks or waffling in Westminster village. This incident proves otherwise, as it guaranteed that the scene in the Strangers Bar will be replicated across the land this (and every) weekend.

It doesn't make it right. I would almost certainly be sacked if I got into a fight (drunken or sober) which caused injury & damage to the firm's (the same firm they work for) property. So why not in this case??

Because they have the power and influence, and we don't.

Our lot is to do what they tell us to do while we pay for their extravagance and excesses. The system works because we have been conned into believing we are part of a law-abiding representative democracy. The increasingly apparent commonality between all three main political parties bears witness to the lack of political choice we are given. The constant deafness exercised by all political parties to the cries of the electorate bears witness to the lack of democracy.

The prime example of this political deafness is the absolute refusal of all three main parties to grant us a referendum on the EU. Another example is the enforcement of the ridiculous green agenda against our wishes. Failing law enforcement and a complete lack of justice is another example of the political deafness; as is the economy-destroying level of taxation and duty on all road fuels. The endless war against the motorist is another example. To say nothing of the grossly unreasonable benefits system that is blatantly biased against normal hard-working people.

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we're out

If i had a fight , or even had a drink , in my work place ,or had a drink while on duty , even just one glass of wine , i would be sacked .