40 U Turnns On Economy-Now Alcohol

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Governments get criticised for policies, and when they change in response to criticism it's labelled a U turn.

The minimum pricing policy has been recommended by health officials, but I don't think that automatically makes it popular with everyone. This country has a problem with booze, but can it be solved by making it Scandinavian-style expensive? Is it possible to educate people- how many times do people really need to be told to enjoy alcohol in moderation?

Generali

vivatifosi wrote: »

The news this morning (Sky?) saying that key people in the Cabinet had refused to support David Cameron on this. Named May, Pickles and Gove as among those that wouldn't back. May also made a speech this week that some are saying is her pitch for the leadership. Gove has spoken out against her. My sense is that there's a lot of disharmony going on behind the scenes and that's before you even involve the LibDems.

It does go against a central tenet of Toryism, that the Government should keep its nose out of the economy unless strictly necessary.

I don't think a requirement of Cabinet Govt is that the Cabinet all agree, rather it's that they fall in behind a decision once made.

IronWolf

purch wrote: »

This does make the Government look even more pathetic and divided than ever.

Why? Do you want presidential style government were the PM dictates policy or do you want real democracy where people can disagree and stop stupid policies (e.g. minimum alcohol pricing) from coming into force.

Ionkontrol

They would do better trying address the reasons that people drink to excess (homelessness, mental issues etc.) rather than just taxing the problem. Total divs.

purch

IronWolf wrote: »

Why? Do you want presidential style government were the PM dictates policy or do you want real democracy where people can disagree and stop stupid policies (e.g. minimum alcohol pricing) from coming into force.

No.

This was a Government proposal, not a policy dictated by the Prime Minister.

If the proposal is dropped because of responses to the "consultation" then fine enough.

However the reports today, to which this thread refer are showing that there is a split within the Government over this policy.

So it does, in my opinion show that the Government is divided on a matter that should have been decided upon before making the previous announcements of a 45p minimum price and beginning a "consultation" process.

Quite why you feel the need to ask me if I want a

presidential style government were the PM dictates policy

is baffling.

Personally I consider the proposal to be ludicrous, and unlikely to achieve it's stated aims and as such I am against it.

However that does not stop me thinking that this change to the stated policy of the Government only shows it to be weak and divided on a policy that should have been agreed upon already.

Hopefully this has gone some way to explain "why" I made my previous comment that appears to have upset you.

worried_jim

Graham_Devon wrote: »

The government is becoming weaker by the day.

That's the nature of all governments.

Graham_Devon

worried_jim wrote: »

That's the nature of all governments.

Is it?

Could we have called the Thatcher government weak?

N1AK

kaya wrote: »

Based on your experience and expert analasys I'm sure ?

Based on the various scientific studies, trials and experience of other countries; I appreciate that the idea of evidence based decision making must be a struggle for you to comprehend when just pronouncing the words is a challenge.

I'd give you links to some examples but as you've already picked a position and demonstrated you're inability to discuss alternative positions rationality it would be a waste of time. You wouldn't read them, couldn't understand them if you tried, and if you could would only be looking for something you could clumsily attempt to discredit them by.

And it's analysis; get a browser to check for you if you can't be bothered getting it right to begin with.

Mistral001

I wish i worked in a business where there was a law saying that I had to charge a minimum amount for my goods that I sell. i would probably not have to worry about paying my bills ever again.

Conrad

Coalition Gov't are like this.

Some say it's quite a good thing Gov't are able to make u-turns in response to general resistance to a new policy idea.