The family that topes together copes together, and with luck votes together. The Home Secretary wants longer pub hours. He wants to liberalise access to drink. Bring the little ones into the pub, he cries. Reduce the drinking age from 18 to 16 when adults and food are present.
New Labour is for intelligent drinking.
That is the way to cut abuse. Nor does the Opposition disagree. Put tougher controls on noisy pubs and troublesome premises, yes, but every true Briton likes a good drink. Middle England is Merrie England. Nobody is in favour of closing time.