Should our MPs and their staff be allowed to drink (alcohol) during their working day?

No, I don’t believe that drinking alcohol during work hours, no matter how long the working day is, is acceptable.
I suppose if it includes something like an evening dinner, a glass could be acceptable but why not drink non alcohol?

Certainly not! For all the obvious reasons.

No they shouldn’t, is the short answer.

But do we know that they are?

Maybe they socialise after the working day?

Nothing wrong with a glass of something at the end of the working day. At least in the Palace of Westminster the MP’s and staff are safe and protected in these dangerous times.

Why should MPs and their staff be governed by rules that do not apply in other office environments?

Either we have a new law banning drinking in all office environments, and in all licensed premises that are open during office hours - except how to define office hours. Is lunch time office time? What about those with split shifts, or like MPs, who may be on their work premises in the evenings, waiting for a division bell, having already worked their 8 hours and just be waiting to go home?

Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Any restriction that applies to MPs should apply universally.

I actually think that people drink far less in work environments than they used to. back in the 1960s and 70s people used to drink quite heavily at lunch time and after work. It was accepted (with shrugged shoulders) that some senior, and not so senior mangers would be unfit for work in the afternoon. At one point I used to have regular meetings with one of the directors in my office and we knew, that if we wanted to get something difficult past him, to arrange a post lunch meeting because he would be too drunk to know what he was agreeing to.

That sort of thing is very rare indeed these days.

Agree Monica I worked in Insurance in the early/mid 70’s if we wanted a signature from certain underwriters we knew what pubs/bars they would be in and what was the bet time to get them.

M0nica

Why should MPs and their staff be governed by rules that do not apply in other office environments?

Either we have a new law banning drinking in all office environments, and in all licensed premises that are open during office hours - except how to define office hours. Is lunch time office time? What about those with split shifts, or like MPs, who may be on their work premises in the evenings, waiting for a division bell, having already worked their 8 hours and just be waiting to go home?

Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Any restriction that applies to MPs should apply universally.

I actually think that people drink far less in work environments than they used to. back in the 1960s and 70s people used to drink quite heavily at lunch time and after work. It was accepted (with shrugged shoulders) that some senior, and not so senior mangers would be unfit for work in the afternoon. At one point I used to have regular meetings with one of the directors in my office and we knew, that if we wanted to get something difficult past him, to arrange a post lunch meeting because he would be too drunk to know what he was agreeing to.

That sort of thing is very rare indeed these days.

I have to agree with you here.

And I also remember the 60s / 70s drinking 'culture' in offices. It is much less now. Those boozy lunches were an accepted norm back them.

I'm in two minds (not unusual for me). A glass of wine with your lunch during 'office hours' doesn't seem like a particularly bad thing IMO, but I guess it depends on what your job is.

And, again, not sure that consuming small amounts of alcohol during the working day - which can be very long for some - is the most pressing issue at the moment.

I never drank a drop when I was working - not because of any moral scruples, just that I immediately wanted to sleep afterwards, and the tiredness made it really difficult to focus. But others seem to be able to manage it. Thing is, we're all different in the way alcohol affects us - so it might be wrong for me to drink - but not necessarily so for the person sitting next to me...

I worked in Local Government for over 40 years; in the 70s/80s drinking at lunchtime was not frowned upon and we were allowed to have a glass of wine when someone was leaving and put on a bit of a 'do' at work. However, from the 90s onwards alcohol was strictly banned on any Council premises and if we went out for a pub lunch (during our lunch hour) definitely no alcohol could be consumed. Don't see what the difference is between Local Government premises and Central Government premises, we are all public servants; I don't think alcohol shouldn't have any place in an office working environment.

I think most of the eegits in WM need to stay sober,their brains are addled enough without booze.There shouldn't be alcohol at any price on the premises never mind subsidised !

I worked in a job where anyone smelling of booze would be sacked on the spot and that was just taking photographs not changing laws that affect millions of lives.
I cant believe the attitudes of folk on here who think a boozing MP is fine.

Sorry typo - should say 'I think alcohol shouldn't have any place ....'

I agree with Monica.

paddyann54 Who has suggested a boozing MP is fine? What is your definition of boozing? Would you ban all alcohol for all people in working hours. How would you police it? How would you compensate the many pub and restaurant owners and staff ho would be laid off and who would be made bankrupt by such legislation.

I agree with MOnica. Boozy lunches were not unusual in the 70s/80s/90s but I can say from personal experience that that has changed.

M0nica

Why should MPs and their staff be governed by rules that do not apply in other office environments?

Either we have a new law banning drinking in all office environments, and in all licensed premises that are open during office hours - except how to define office hours. Is lunch time office time? What about those with split shifts, or like MPs, who may be on their work premises in the evenings, waiting for a division bell, having already worked their 8 hours and just be waiting to go home?

Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Any restriction that applies to MPs should apply universally.

I actually think that people drink far less in work environments than they used to. back in the 1960s and 70s people used to drink quite heavily at lunch time and after work. It was accepted (with shrugged shoulders) that some senior, and not so senior mangers would be unfit for work in the afternoon. At one point I used to have regular meetings with one of the directors in my office and we knew, that if we wanted to get something difficult past him, to arrange a post lunch meeting because he would be too drunk to know what he was agreeing to.

That sort of thing is very rare indeed these days.

Why should MPs and their staff be governed by rules that do not apply in other office environments?
Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Any restriction that applies to MPs should apply universally.

Many workplaces, including offices, already have clear rules regarding their staff drinking in working hours. I imagine that the numbers of people covered by such rules far outstrips the number of people working in our Parliament.
On the basis of "what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander", it seems very reasonable to expect similar rules to be applied to MPs etc.

... how to define office hours. Is lunch time office time? What about those with split shifts, or like MPs, who may be on their work premises in the evenings, waiting for a division bell, having already worked their 8 hours and just be waiting to go home?

- Parliament itself would have to address rules on what, if any, drinking is acceptable on those premises, similar to those that many businesses have, and those need to address the issues you raise. I don't know how that would work, as I know nothing about who is ultimately responsible for such things on those premises. It certainly wouldn't work to ask the 'staff' themselves (MPs and ordinary civil servants) to decide the rules themselves, but I'm sure there is a way it could be done.

I actually think that people drink far less in work environments than they used to. back in the 1960s and 70s ...

- So do I, but that's not really relevant now.

I don't think drinking alcohol encourages clear thinking so my feeling is alcohol shouldn't be available in Westminster. Having it on tap as it were, cannot be helpful for anyone with a drinking problem. I remember MPs in the past who were 'tired and emotional' and the lovely Charles Kennedy who died because of alcohol. As someone said, local government workers can't drink during working hours so why should MPs?

Paddy..... if you think that Scottish MP’s ( including the SNP!) don’t ever have a glass of wine with lunch ( or more) then you are sadly deluded.

The Puritanical streak is alive and well in the UK, must be a lasting legacy from Oliver Cromwell.The French would laugh their socks off reading some comments on this thread.

NHS staff can’t drink on the premises. In my time I’ve had to dismiss staff who have been caught doing so. It’s not puritanical, it’s about competence to do the role for which you are being paid, and drinking affects competence.

Moderation is always the key. Notwithstanding, a local bank manager was known for granting loans and overdrafts after a liquid lunch. You always asked for a 2pm appontment.

I don't know any workplace where drinking at lunchtime would be acceptable, what happened in the seventies is not what is happening now.

Casdon ....We are not talking about NHS staff having a drink with lunch here, the OP is about MP’s and civil servants.

There’s no difference lemongrove. They are all public servants, and should not be drinking at work.

No alcohol should be allowed in Westminster during the day, which means the bar should not be open (except for non-alcoholic drinks). And not be open in the evening either if they are having a late sitting. In other words the bar hours should not be the same as their working hours. Smokers have been vilified and banned for some time now, so why shouldn't alcohol get the same treatment.

I don't agree with it at all !
There's time enough when work is finished. What's wrong with them all that they must have a drink ?

paddyann54

I cant believe the attitudes of folk on here who think a boozing MP is fine.

I've not read any comment that says that.

And there is a significant difference between having a glass of wine with a lunchtime meal and someone who is boozing.