What is unfair about Boris booze ban?

Am I alone in wondering exactly why controversy has attended Boris Johnson’s decision to ban alcohol on London’s public transport system?

I would view myself as reasonably libertarian, but I cannot agree that asking people to keep their booze closed on buses and underground trains is an egregious curtailment of civil liberties. If anything I was surprised to learn that it was quite permissible to crack open a can or two before Boris decided otherwise.

I would be the last person to lecture people about drinking, but beyond a shadow of a doubt a large group of drinkers can transform a journey into a miserable experience for fellow passengers. If banning alcohol on public transport makes travelling on it more pleasant for the majority of transport users, then asking a minority to exercise a little restraint, seems to me a reasonable imposition. London’s drinkers are hardly deprived of options when it comes to tippling elsewhere.

Of course ironically the large protest party which ensued the night before drinking was banned provided something of a definitive argument for why the prohibition should go ahead.

Comments

Anonymous said…
i disagree. surely those responsible for the poor behaviour should be punished for whatever their antisocial behaviour is and not for drinking. they are spoiling it for those who can drink AND behave. find this type of law irritating.
3 June 2008 at 13:23
Owen Polley said…
Bollocks. A tube train or a bus is not the pub. Nothing is being spoiled for anyone by not allowing them to drink on this type of public transport. Any more of that type of s shite will be deleted.
3 June 2008 at 13:34
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