£90,000 worth of champagne ..

£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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

The price quoted isnt all that exceptional for reasonable quality champagne, plus there is the premium of tourist attraction.

I do t understand it either. Perhaps we are missing something?

Galaxy

I agree 100%

Freya

I very much doubt ANY of us are in the slightest bit jealous and as for “good champagne” like “fine wine” it’s often a matter of personal taste. I once had a French friend who was a sommelier. His assertion was the small the bubbles in champagne the better the champagne would be 🍾🥂

I personally wouldn’t want to buy any gifts in the HoL gift shop and would purchase my fine wine from a reputable wine shop.

However, we absolutely require a second Chamber, reformed yes! Abolished, certainly not!

I’d stop all the outgoing PMs sticking their cronies in and reform the way in which people are appointed, we need a body of people to act as “governors” for our HoC.

And I agree with the OP. The House of Lords does need reforming. Why should someone sit in the House and make decisions that affect all of us simply because they were born in a particular bed or have done some PM a good turn e.g.donating a lot of money to his Party or campaign, or happen to be a Bishop of the C of E. I'm not tarring all members of the House of Lords with the same brush. I'm sure some work very hard with the best interests of the people at heart and a second house of some sort is necessary. I just think we should be thinking about ways to reform it to make it even more effective in it's role.

I don't care what tourists or anyone else spends their own money on but I do object to taxes being used to subsidise the Commons and Lords bars and restaurants. By all mean have a staff canteen but pay the going rate for what you eat and drink.

Sounds good to me, at least you get some lovely fizzy moments for £57.
Not like spending very nearly that on a 'bouffant' for a VERY naughty white dog who rolls in poo on the way home.

No lovely fizzy moments there......

Not in the least envious. I don’t enjoy Champagne, the only exception being Dom Perignon.

CvD66

..bought in the House of Lords last year (FOI details obtained). While it is claimed that this was mostly bought by tourists, sadly no figures were given to support this. Would you pay £57 for a bottle of champagne in the gift shop? It cannot be ignored that this is an exceptional quantity of champagne = 1589 bottles! Given the latest appointments (particularly from the 45 day PM Liz Truss) is this institution in need of reform or even better, abolishment?

I’m sorry to have to tell you this but in the great scheme of things 1589 bottles of champagne is not an exceptional quantity. Get real. Even if only bought by peers it is two bottles each a year. I had at least 4 bottles last year for various family celebrations. If you want to complain about the HOL at least pick something scandalous.

Oh dear, envious or what.

I don't think anyone is being 'envious' at all, Freya. We seem to have a rare moment of agreement on this thread.

Agreement that it's a non story...

I am much more interested in the amount of alcohol consumed from the No 10 cellar during lockdown.

Approximately 8,000 people work in The Palace of Westminster added to which 1 million plus visit each year.

I think the amount of bottles of Champagne purchased is on the low side.

Freya5 what champagne counts as the best?

Oh dear, envious or what. My daughter and family buy the best champagne when they want some, good for them, they can afford it, many tourists can also. Just think a bottle of champers with a house of Lords label on it being taken home to wherever. Good for the economy I say.

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?

Can’t be Bollinger then!

And your point about the champagne being what, exactly, CvD66?