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.
As the Tory, Eric Forth, pointed out in the Commons on Monday, the Europeans have more liberal licensing laws yet less drunkenness. There must be a lesson there. The signal is clear. The party of Bacchus joins the party of Dionysus. People should be allowed to regulate their own drinking, provided that they do not offend others.