[Metrobeans]

M104 - Alcohol Minimum Pricing Motion, TSR Government

The House agrees with the TSR Government's proposals to reduce alcohol minimum pricing to a more acceptable level. This House believes that freedom in the United Kingdom should be upheld by providing consumers the freedom to search for the best deal, and supermarkets with the opportunity to compete.

[Birchington]

I don't agree with penalising responsible drinkers. We need to instead focus on changing our overall drinking culture, which glorifies binge drinking. Binge drinkers will find ways to get around minimum pricing, and several reports suggest 'sin taxes' don't work. For these reasons, I will oppose this motion, although the government should be praised for opening debate on this significant issue.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Birchington)
I don't agree with penalising responsible drinkers. For these reasons, I will oppose this motion, although the government should be praised for opening debate on this significant issue.

So the fact that TSR Government will be lowering the minimum pricing not raising it means you are against it.

That said, I do believe that alcohol is a bigger problem here than on the continent and it most certainly needs tacking.

[Rhadamanthus]

If you believe in consumer freedom then just take the next step and completely oppose minimum pricing.

[paperclip]

I am not sure on my thoughts on this. How would you quantify an acceptable level?

Moreover have you considered the fact that a minimum price allows pubs to compete with supermarkets? Pubs and clubs are usually a safer environment to drink in because people are more aware of how much they are consuming (alcohol reduces attentive abilities, increasing monitoring has been shown via research into divided attention to result in better self regulation). In English, how many people do you see getting so pissed they end up passing out and puking at a party, compared to a pub or club?

[That Bearded Man]

Is there any surprise that a student forum would oppose minimum pricing?

[Myotherone]

I feel that the cost of Alcohol is already taxed too highly so feel that we should remove (or block) any attempt to try and introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol

[Student2806]

Is there going to be a bill on this in the near future?

[Ham and Cheese]

(Original post by Student2806)
Is there going to be a bill on this in the near future?

Hopefully. The idea of this motion is to open up debate on the issue so that the Government then write a bill based upon the views of the House.

(Original post by paperclip)
I am not sure on my thoughts on this. How would you quantify an acceptable level?

Moreover have you considered the fact that a minimum price allows pubs to compete with supermarkets? Pubs and clubs are usually a safer environment to drink in because people are more aware of how much they are consuming (alcohol reduces attentive abilities, increasing monitoring has been shown via research into divided attention to result in better self regulation). In English, how many people do you see getting so pissed they end up passing out and puking at a party, compared to a pub or club?

Well the motion was not supposed to be specific, so that we could open up this issue to debate. However, an acceptable level would be defined by the House and the Government through subsequent legislation.

True, but I believe people will always go to pubs and clubs; to watch the football or to have a night out. I do not believe that if alcohol at supermarkets was cheaper then people would go out less; if food was cheaper, then it would not effect the number of times people go out for a meal to a restaurant.

The idea being that we free up the market and promote competition, whilst encouraging people to use this freedom with a sense of responsibility.

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
If you believe in consumer freedom then just take the next step and completely oppose minimum pricing.

I do oppose minimum pricing personally, but the idea of the motion was to open up debate on the issue and see what the House think.

[py0alb]

Just get rid of it, its a terrible idea. It won't make the slightest bit of difference in reducing consumption - all it will do is enforce anti-competitive measures on supermarkets and increase their margins.

[JPKC]

I don't agree with arbitrary minimum pricings, though I've not seen the Government's proposals.

"Frankly my dear aye don't give a damn!"

[LETSJaM]

Nay. Won't reduce booze culture of UK.

<3 x

[Metrobeans]

This has been withdrawn.