Petition launched calling on alcohol ban in Parliament

A petition calling on the government to ban alcohol from the Houses of Parliament has been launched.

(Photo: Maurice/Flickr)

The news comes after a series of sexual harassment allegations have been made against MPs over the past month, with the politicians and experts placing the blame on Westminster’s drinking culture.

The petition, “Make Houses of Parliament Alcohol Free,” was created by Jean Mackenzie earlier this month

It demands that alcohol no longer be sold around the political hub’s several bars and restaurants to prevent further harassment cases from emerging.

There are 19 restaurants and cafeterias, and nine bars which cater for the hundreds of MPs and peers and all the permanent staff, security, other pass-holders and guests in the Houses of Parliament, according to parliamentary resources site w4mp.

“The culture of drinking within the Houses of Parliament is a national disgrace,” said Mackenzie.

“Ending the sale of alcohol, both at bars and with meals, would not only help reduce sexual harassment, but help members stay alert and able to conduct business on behalf of the tax payer.”

“Parliament is a place of work, and there is no need for alcohol to be served.”

Constituencies which have witnessed the most signers include Calder Valley, the seat of Conservative MP Craig Whittaker, Labour MP Maria Eagle’s Garston and Halewood seat in the North West, and South East Cambridgeshire, home of Conservative member Lucy Frazer.

So far 1,312 people have signed the petition, which will close May next year.

It needs another 8,700 signatures if a drinks ban is to be debated in the Commons.

Last year, the House of Commons spent £1.2 million on alcohol across the parliamentary premises, with £142,000 spent on beer and cider, and a further £712,000 soent on wine and Champagne.

Several proposals have already been made to curb alcohol-induced sexual harassment in Parliament. Earlier this month, it was reported in the Express that Andrea Leadsom will lead an investigation into the rules around drinking on parliamentary grounds as part of a bid to “clean up” politics