Another law is not the answer to binge drinking

In the second of his regular columns, Peter Hancock, chief executive of luxury hotel marketing consortium Pride of Britain Hotels, argues against further changes to licensing laws and calls on political leaders to listen.

"Binge drinking is bad for you. Alcohol abuse costs lives and livelihoods. Fighting on our streets is often fuelled by cheap booze. All true. But when politicians compete to proclaim their party has the best solutions to these problems, common sense is pushed aside in the rush to appear the most draconian.

Is it really necessary to limit licensing hours so soon after relaxing them? Should you or I pay more for a glass of Pinot Grigio in case a teenager 200 miles away stabs his girlfriend? And is it fair to add cost to the running of all on-trade businesses while supermarkets are still able to offer take-away drink at a fraction of the price?

Of course not. Yet in the run up to the election we risk the consequences of policies dreamed up on the hoof, with the best of motives, that would turn the screw even tighter on an industry that actually provides a better-regulated drinking environment than the home or the open street could ever provide.

There is no logic to implementing anti-business laws that erode the freedom of responsible adults everywhere, when the target is a tiny minority of troubled souls who will grab at any mind-bending substance they can get their hands on, legally or otherwise.

This country has a long history of brewing, distilling and enjoying a fantastic array of beverages. The drinks trade supports endless charities, provides employment and adds fun, in sensible quantities, to our everyday lives. Start to strangle the trade that has grown up within that culture and you would do far more harm to society than any gang of youths. You would put people out of work and increase the cost of living for everybody.

So I hope our political leaders are willing to listen to the hospitality industry at least as keenly as they do to the well-meaning groups who believe the answer to every problem comes in the form of another tax, another enforcer or another law."