Alan Johnson, Labour’s last Home Secretary has admitted and apologised for his party’s failure to tackle binge drinking during his tenure.  He said:  ‘I regret not doing more to tackle the problems caused by binge drinking during my period in office. The Government is right to stop alcohol being sold below cost price. It’s something we should have done.’  Labour has been condemned for introducing 24-hour drinking (Tony Blair) and reducing alcohol-related taxes by £200million (Gordon Brown).

Johnson’s successor Theresa May has been commended for plans to prohibit shops from selling alcohol below cost price.

Mr Johnson said: ‘I regret not doing more to tackle the problems caused by binge drinking during my period in office. The Government is right to stop alcohol being sold below cost price. It’s something we should have done.’