To think MPs shouldn’t be drinking while at work?

Then deal with the individuals concerned.

I am criticising your argument in calling you puritanical, and and instinct to ban enjoyable practices do hint at trauma.

No you're clutching at straws because for some reason you seem to struggle with people having a different opinion to you.
I don't want to ban alcohol. I enjoy drinking alcohol.
I just don't think it's appropriate in the workplace. That's just my opinion which will have zero impact on anything or anyone.

I do wonder if she was playing to the religious element of her party that continues to masquerade as environmentally concerned.

I think you'll find that female MPs make up quite a proportion of customers patronising commons establishments. I think the old boys club thing is designed to target a feminist ear and get them clapping like seals at the thought of sticking one to the patriarchy when all you'll be doing is treating men and women alike like children, infantilising them and removing their ability to manage their own lives.

I am criticising your argument in calling you puritanical, and and instinct to ban enjoyable practices do hint at trauma. Some of the most enthusiastic members of the temperance movement have experienced alcoholism in the family, and have a personal stake in their cause. But what they struggle to comprehend is that for every one who struggles with detrimental affects, there are hundreds that enjoy it without problems. Not to deny their lived experience, but it shouldn't dictate what the majority get to do.

And finally, I've been holding off on this, MPs aren't really employed as such are they? They are elected representatives. Aides etc. are employed by them, not the commons. I am sure the building itself has its own staff, but it is not like an office, with set hours of business etc.

Drunk and having a drink are not the same thing.

I hope she realises that should the Green Party ever gain plenty of votes she and her boss will be dumped like hot potatoes.

No amount of seeking to ingratiate yourself will change that.

They don’t want to legalise heroin, they want to decriminalise it which is entirely different. It means users (who are sick addicts) won’t be sent to prison for their addiction which makes sense.

I worked at Greggs when I was studying for my bachelors and the manager there was always drunk. She just reeked of wine constantly, would slur her words. I felt sorry for her, I found the job depressing as fuck and I only had to work PT while studying but she’d been there years. I think MP’s generally have a nicer life than her so no excuse for drinking on the job.

This is just a campaign to remove alcohol from Westminster.

I wonder what would be next ? No alcohol in supermarkets ?

Thankfully, it will never happen. The idea someone cannot have a glass of wine before they leave for their constituency on a Friday lunchtime is too much.

The Welsh Parliament does not serve alcohol before 6pm, that I do know.

Probably pretty shocking to start a new job, thinking you can make an impact on people's lives, and find actually all the old boys are steaming.

See my latest post.
If alcohol is causing a continued issue with bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace then it's inappropriate.

Maybe 25 years ago 😂

I have done a quick search @Everanewbie and it would appear that here is in fact some evidence that drinking in parliament is problematic.
Apparently 1 in 5 complaints to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme involved alcohol and they state that alcohol continues to play a significant role in bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in Parliament.

Who says it’s not appropriate? I get you don’t think it is, and there are some who agree with you. There are also those who disagree with you and don’t see it as an issue in this context.

I personally think that the use of £5.8 million of tax payers money per year is significant enough to warrant a review. I work in the education sector which is on its knees thanks to significant reductions in government funding.

Just because have different views to you doesn't make me puritanical ( or mean I have an alcohol problem) .Can't you have a debate or discussion without resorting to personal insults?

I'm aware that it's not a 'normal' workplace. And perhaps that's another reason to review it all? If your working practices mean that you are in position where all your staff are just hanging around having a drink then something probably needs looking at. And who knows? A radical change in working practices might encourage more women as it would feel less of an 'old boys club'.

I think the fact that it has always been done puts the burden of proof on the suggestion things should be changed. In the case of smoking, science proved that passive smoking affected people's health - so it went. Passive drinking isn't really a thing. And I have yet to see any evidence that alcohol consumption in the commons is a problem. If you have any research or articles that suggest otherwise other than opinion or conjecture, please, lets see it.

You can make a very good argument that alcohol should not be subsidised, however, looking at the pricelist posted earlier, I don't think the subsidy is that high, when the prices are compared to private clubs such as legions, social clubs etc. If they paid full price, would that make you happier?

The commons is not comparable to a normal workplace. The hours are irregular, the work is intensive for short bursts then there is a lot of hanging around and I don't see what is to be gained by being puritanical.

Haha nice try. I have a very healthy relationship with alcohol and no, my instinct is not to ban things. People are allowed to challenge things and have a different opinion to you!

Using 'it's what's always been done' isn't a good enough argument. Policies and procedures change all of the time and I just think that it is time to review this one. You used to be allowed to smoke in the office and there was a time when women were banned from being an MP but times change. Just because something has been a particular way for years doesn't mean it shouldn't be challenged.

Is subsidised alcohol during work a good use of tax payer money? I don't think so. You are obviously happy for public funds to be used in this way. As is your prerogative.

I also think that it is inappropriate for people working in this type of role to be drinking alcohol while at work. Again, you obviously disagree.

I wouldn't argue that it is that abnormal in some sectors. Completely abnormal in the public sector of course l.

A sensible employer, especially a sensible employer who expects their staff to stay late into the evenings and spend prolonged periods away from home would look at actual evidence of a problem before banning staff from a beer or glass of wine with their dinner.

I realise actual evidence and data are considered optional by the current Green party but where is the evidence that MPs are failing to do their jobs because of excessive alcohol? Or have we become so puritanical and judgmental that we have lost the ability to discriminate between “a drink with dinner” and excess alcohol?

I

Well why is it inappropriate? It has been deemed appropriate by the state for hundreds of years. Do you have history with alcohol? Some kind of unresolved trauma? Or is your instinct to ban things?

That doesn't explain why it's appropriate in the workplace though does it?

There are ~600 MPs. There are also thousands of parliamentary staff, many on very ordinary salaries, who benefit from the subsidised catering

Because they are adults and the vast majority enjoy it responsibly.

Yes it smacks of puritanical attention seeking. I’d be interested to hear more from the Greens on economically literate and sustainable grown policies but obviously this shit goes down better on TikTok.

In fairness this nonsense is a well trodden path from younger, new MPs to of all parties trying to grab their five minutes of airtime.

There are lots of things people enjoy which are not appropriate for the workplace. Why does alcohol deserve a special dispensation?

Do I think MPs actually do their jobs? Honestly, no. But just because they aren’t good at it doesn’t give them license to be drunk.