The political is personal: Exploring drinking cultures in Westminster and making the case for more alcohol support

“It is early days, as a new MP, but I think the culture has been changing. I don't personally feel under pressure to drink, and I think MPs drink less than they used to. And I think a big new intake probably helps drive culture change.”

“Parliament operates at strange hours, so it would not be unusual to have one glass of wine with an evening meal and then vote in a Division.”

It's often said that the personal is political, with our intimate and personal lives influenced by political and social trends. On the flip side, Alcohol Change UK’s latest research into drinking cultures and attitudes among MPs in Westminster tells us that when it comes to alcohol, the political is also personal, with working culture for our country’s lawmakers affected by alcohol in multiple ways.

Through a representative survey of MPs, our findings suggest that key factors such as late nights and social media abuse are having a negative impact on MPs' wellbeing, and as a result, their alcohol consumption. And, while some feel the expectation to drink, others believe there is a shift in the historic alco-centric culture as a raft of new MPs entered Parliament.

So, what did our research uncover? And, more importantly, what steps do we think could help create a more supportive environment for MPs in Parliament?

1. Just 16% of all MPs would describe the House of Commons as a highly supportive place to work, when it comes to alcohol. This falls to just 8% for female MPs. Female MPs are also more likely to agree with the statement that that their mental health is worse since being elected, than they are to disagree. Social media abuse, and late-night sittings, appear to be bigger triggers for alcohol consumption than the number of bars on the Parliamentary estate.
   

1. Almost three in ten (28%) MPs think it is acceptable to drink before voting or speaking in the House. This varies considerably by party.
   

1. On alcohol policy more broadly, MPs back action. 77% of MPs want to see funding for treatment services protected, while 51% back the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing – including 60% of Labour MPs.

1. Supportive standards: clearer guidance on standards for MPs when it comes to alcohol, linked to appropriate support: including a ban on drinking before voting or speaking in the House, and guidance on accepting gifts and hospitality from the alcohol industry, and other health-harming sectors, in Parliament.
   

1. Support from other MPs: including training for MPs to be able to better support their colleagues who may be experiencing issues with alcohol, and training for Whips to deal with alcohol-related issues.
   

1. Proactive support: outreach to vulnerable groups and holistic support to address underlying issues and potential triggers, such as late-night sittings.

For more information contact Ash Singleton, Director of Research & Public Affairs on [email protected].