英国酒精研究所对190名议员及其工作人员进行的调查显示，议会存在令人担忧的饮酒文化[1]。调查表明，42%的受访议员在过去六个月内每周至少在工作会议或活动中被提供酒精饮料，其中13%称这种情况每天发生[1]。更令人不安的是，调查报告记录了议员因过度饮酒需要进医院洗胃的情况[1]。此外，22%的受访者对同事的饮酒情况表示担忧[1]。
议员长时间工作、孤独感和社交压力被认为是推高饮酒率的主要因素[1]。绿党议员汉娜·斯宾塞在4月表示，议会的饮酒文化"不专业且令人担忧"[1]。2023年议会独立申诉和申冤制度的数据进一步证实了这一问题的严重性，该制度称酒精是其调查中的"频繁因素"，在2021-2022年的30项调查中发现饮酒导致"恐吓行为如尖叫和谩骂"[1]。面对这些发现，多名议员和公共卫生专家呼吁议会制定首项正式酒精政策[1]。英国酒精研究所首席执行官建议限制免费酒精仅供晚间活动[1]。
A survey by the Institute of Alcohol Studies examining 190 parliamentarians and their staff has exposed significant concerns about drinking culture in the UK Parliament.[1] The investigation found that 42% of surveyed MPs reported being offered alcoholic beverages at least weekly during work meetings or events over the past six months, with 13% stating this occurs daily.[1] Additionally, 22% of respondents expressed worry about colleagues' drinking habits.[1]
The research reveals troubling health consequences tied to parliamentary drinking patterns.[1] Some MPs have required hospitalization for stomach pumping due to excessive alcohol consumption, according to the survey report.[1] Long working hours, isolation, and social pressure have been identified as factors driving elevated alcohol consumption among legislators.[1] The 2023 Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme noted that alcohol featured as a "frequent factor" in its investigations, with drinking linked to intimidating behavior such as shouting and verbal abuse in 30 cases examined between 2021 and 2022.[1]
Calls for institutional action are mounting.[1] Green Party MP Hannah Spencer stated in April that Parliament's drinking culture was "unprofessional and concerning."[1] The Institute of Alcohol Studies' chief executive has recommended restricting complimentary alcohol to evening events only.[1] Despite these concerns, Parliament has yet to establish its first formal alcohol policy.[1]