British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday passionately defended new pub-licensing laws that will allow Britons to drink around the clock and insisted it will not lead to an explosion in booze-fuelled violence.
Later this year, restrictive licensing laws that require most pubs in England and Wales to close at 11pm from Monday to Saturday and at 10.30pm on Sundays will be lifted, and bars will be able to apply for permissions to open any hours they like.
Opponents fear the change will encourage alcohol abuse and lead to increased violence in Britain’s city centres.
But Blair insisted the rights of the majority to enjoy a pint when they choose must not be impinged because of an unruly minority.
”My view is that the law-abiding majority who want the ability after going, say, to the cinema or theatre to have a drink at the time they want should not be inconvenienced,” he told the House of Commons.
”We should not have to have restrictions that no other city in Europe has just in order to do something for that tiny minority who abuse alcohol, who go out and fight and cause disturbances.
”We should have the same flexibility that other countries have, then we should come down really hard on those that abuse that freedom,” Blair said.
Britain’s tight licensing laws leave many visitors and tourists aghast when the last bell rings at 11pm. The government believes that more flexible hours will encourage a more relaxed attitude to drinking that is common in continental Europe.
In contrast, many Britons drink in concentrated bursts because of the early pub closing times. — Sapa-AP