Wednesday 22 February 2012

Do we live in a Western Free Country?

In my last post I criticised The Portman Group for seeming to side with the Government's propaganda regarding the use of so called binge drinking as an excuse to raise taxes. However, I notice the following words on their site.


"It is really important that we put this report in context. The vast majority of people drink responsibly.  Painting doomsday scenarios won’t help reduce alcohol misuse and calling for Soviet Union style population controls cannot do anything but alienate the vast majority of people who already drink within Government guidelines.  We agree with the Prime Minister that strong partnerships are essential to tackle the minority who use alcohol recklessly and drinks producers are committed to supporting this approach.”

Henry Ashworth
Chief Executive, Portman Group
Now, I'm not entirely sure what "this report" actually is, and I really dislike the fact that they "agree with the Prime Minister"

However, in my previous post I inserted an image from a website about Soviet Union Anti-Alcohol Propaganda. Have The Portman Group noticed that I did? Have I influenced them a little? Or is this just another one of my imaginative little guy/big guy interactions?

No, you are right, I'm imagining it.

But still, well done The Portman Group for also feeling that we may not be as free as we would like to think we are.

Alcohol is helpful as a social relaxant. When taken in moderation it can be a positive thing in a hardworking persons life. You have earned that right after a hard days work, after the stress of modern life, to a relaxing evening, don't let them stop you.

I do wish The Portman Group would just stop agreeing with The Government's silly party pooping nonsense.

4 comments:

Curmudgeon said...

The Portman Group and similar bodies are always just going to appease anti-drink sentiment in government. The brewing industry (and any other industry) are ultimately interested in their own survival and profitability, not in drinkers' rights.

Hence their lack of real opposition to minimum pricing, as it would just be a legal way of running a price-fixing cartel.

Brewers Union Local 180 said...

Why does the Gummit have guidelines about how much I should drink?

Cooking Lager said...

I thought I lived in a free country then I went to this pub in cumbria and the gaffer refused my polite request for HP sauce with my fry up. It was then I realised I lived in a Stalinist dictatorship so I gave up my life, up sticks, and now live in a tent in London and will do so until capitalism is brought to its knees.

Neville Grundy said...

Whereabouts in London is your tent? Next time I'm there, I'll bring you a bottle of HP. Large, family size.