40p Minimum Price? Far Too Cheap Already, Apparently

I suppose the usual prohibitionist suspects would have been unsurprised that Friday's minimum alcohol pricing announcement was roundly condemned by the press. I expect even they were of the belief they had another few months, maybe a year, of nagging and softening up of the public before any politician would be stupid enough to go for it.

However, the Guardian gently pointing out that it was a bit of a silly proposal was betrayal enough for Caroline Lucas - always ready to jump on any scaremongery bandwagon, as is her wont - to fire off a letter.

Measures set out in the new national alcohol strategy include a minimum price of 40p per unit of alcohol in England and Wales and greater powers for local authorities to deal with binge drinking.

[...]

Increasing the minimum unit price to at least 50p would be a good first step. This level is supported by Alcohol Concern and would be in line with research from Sheffield University, which shows the greatest positive impact would be for a minimum price of between 50p and 60p.

You're giving the plan away, love. That's scheduled to be announced after the bill has been passed.

The consultation isn't anywhere near being announced yet but the 40p suggested starting point is already being touted as too cheap. It's quite incredible too that Conservative Party policy is being trumpeted by the most authoritarian, freedom-despising party in British politics. Was there a ripple in time and space that I missed, or something?

It's good to see our predictions about the dangerous nature of minimum pricing being confirmed, mind.