AA meetings for parliamentarians as drinking culture takes toll
‘Staff in Westminster can now discuss their difficult relationship with alcohol – free from judgment’
WEEKLY Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are being held in the Palace of Westminster for the first time in order to help those affected by its subsidised drinking culture.
MPS, peers and employees who are in recovery have been meeting every Monday lunchtime on the parliamentary estate, amid growing concern about problem drinking among politicians and their staff following the partygate scandal. Last week, an investigation by the Insider news website found Westminster is home to “lots of functioning alcoholics”, with MPS afraid to seek help because of the shame and stigma.
Uniquely among the world’s legislative chambers, the palace contains eight bars and other licensed venues where alcohol is sold cheaply.
The report found late-night voting and parliamentarians being away from home for extended periods had created a “unique” drinking culture in Westminster and recent years have witnessed a number of drunken incidents in the estate’s bars.
Dan Carden, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, established the first meeting in the House of Lords television room after giving an emotional Commons speech about his alcoholism last July.
Writing for The Daily Telegraph online Mr Carden, 35, who has been sober for three years, said: “In January of this year, with a member of the House of Lords and two parliamentary staffers, we kicked off our first of what are now weekly AA meetings on the parliamentary estate.
“Anyone who works on the estate is welcome and our numbers are growing.
“Most apparent has been the powerful impact of opening up this safe space on the individuals who have walked through the door. Finally, there is now a support group for staff in Westminster to discuss their difficult relationship with alcohol – free from judgment.
“AA may not be for everyone, but this group is the first step towards achieving a longer-term goal – to ensure that anyone who works on the parliamentary estate can access a range of support services for addiction, should they need it.”
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, described the move as a “breakthrough”, adding: “Like so many people, I have lost too many good friends to alcoholism – which is why I am so pleased that we now have AA meetings on the parliamentary estate to support MPS, peers and staff for the first time in our history.
“Westminster can be a high-pressure environment at the best of times, and I know some people misuse alcohol in an attempt to manage work-related stress.
“While I have achieved some progress in cracking down on the drinking culture in Parliament, alcoholism is an addiction and an illness that needs treating.”