After a rather dispiriting couple of days, there is finally some evidence of senior Lib Dems are remembering how to be liberal. Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne is apparently standing fast within government against the illiberal idea of minimum alcohol pricing. A variety of sources are cited as indicating that Mr. Browne believes the idea is only going to effect the poorest while making no discernible difference to improving crime prevention.
Whilst Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne MP has been gagged (as has Farming Minister David Heath MP,) on the topic of minimum pricing of alcohol, word has leaked out that Jeremy is clearly on the side of the angels:
“…friends of Mr Browne have told The Mail on Sunday that he disputes claims that the policy is certain to cut binge drinking – or reduce the number of pub fights.”
“A source close to Mr Browne said: ‘Jeremy’s view is that the thug who has downed nine cans of lager is hardly going to think, “Oh dear, I can’t afford a tenth because of minimum pricing. I think I’ll go home to bed instead of starting a brawl.”
Liberal Vision - Minimum Pricing: Battle lines are drawn
Pity he’s not consistently liberal when it comes to other mind altering drugs.