£90,000 worth of champagne ..

As long as it isn’t subsidized, like we are told the restaurant is, it doesn’t matter what people buy.

ronib

The Guardian article points out that the champagne is not paid for by the taxpayer so unless we have gone full Communist, that’s okay? I suppose we could ask exactly what champagne is served to the Lords and at what cost?

If it is sold in the shop then it is hardly being served to MPs free.

I wouldn't be surprised if the members pay less than this in their own subsidised restaurants.

Perhaps, vq, the upper house members should rotate, so many from each section for an agreed amount of time - year, two years, months.... Also, the Lords must actually spend time in the house debating, not just signing in to get their attendance fee.

I totally agree grandMattie. If they don't spend time actually working then no attendance fee.

As a tourist , I would pay that amount for a bottle of champagne 🍾 from the gift shop. I think it would be a great souvenir and I seldom drink.

I think the main issue is that the catering and bars in the House of Commons and House of Lords are subsidised by the public purse. So, at a time when many cannot afford to live, MPs and Lords get cheap food and drinks and the taxpayer picks up the bill to the tune of several million pounds per year.

£90,000? A mere drop in the ocean of life when set against overall consumption from the Government Wine Cellar, I imagine, when we host all the international meetings at Lancaster House, Chequers and elsewhere.