CROSS-PARTY OPPOSITION TO LONGER LICENSING HOURS MUST SUCCEED - KEETCH

9.23.24am GMT Wed 12th Oct 2005

The Liberal Democrats have today joined forces with the Conservatives to 'pray' against the legislation that will bring into force Labour's longer licensing hours.

Commenting, Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford said:

"Over the summer any remaining public support for the incompetent, confusing and damaging Licensing Act evaporated.

"Judges and the police in Hereford have all said what research already tells us - that increasing the availability of alcohol before we get binge drinking under control will make matters worse not better.

"The Government's promised review of the interpretation of the new licensing laws, but not the laws themselves, won't make a difference.

"I hope politicians of all parties will rally behind this move to put Labour's longer licensing hours on ice."

ENDS