Paul Burstow

Liberal Democrats | Sutton and Cheam

New Drink Laws Are A Shambles - Brake And Burstow

Sutton MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow last night voted in favour of a Commons motion to scupper the Government’s plans to allow 24-hour drinking. The motion was a final bid to annul the Licensing Act 2003. Unfortunately, the Labour government defeated the motion by a majority of 74 and the licensing reforms will come into force from next Thursday.

Tom Brake said,

“Binge drinking is out of control and the Licensing Act will only make matters worse. I am not a killjoy, but with the festive season around the corner, longer opening hours will only fuel binge drinking. Labour has botched reform of drinking laws and councils will be left to pick up the pieces.”

Paul Burstow said,

“The government has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to warnings from judges, doctors and senior police officers. Drink fuelled anti-social behaviour is a nation-wide problem which the Licensing Act fails to tackle. It will be local communities that have to pick up the pieces and pay the price for this ill-judged change .”