PRESS RELEASES

Monday, 10th October 2005

Cross-Party Opposition Needed to Stop Government’s Unpopular Licensing Laws

Conservative and Lib Dem MPs intend to "pray against" - or object to - the order implementing the Licensing Act, which was passed by parliament in 2003, in an attempt to ambush the relaxation of licensing laws by forcing a vote in both the Commons and Lords on whether it should be put into effect.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

Our own residents surveys show that there is not the support for an increase in licensing hours. Over the summer any remaining public support for the incompetent, confusing and damaging Licensing Act evaporated. Judges and the police have all said what research already tells us - that increasing the availability of alcohol before we get binge drinking under control will make matters worse not better. I hope politicians of all parties will rally behind this move to put Labour's longer licensing hours on ice.
 

ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1588856,00.html?gusrc=rss
    
2. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
3. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm