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Open Ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in House of Commons venues

Created by Iwan ap Dafydd
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I would like the House of Commons to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol within House of Commons venues on the Parliamentary estate.

I believe drinking is incompatible in the modern workplace. MPs have a crucial role in passing laws which impacts the lives of the citizens of the UK. I believe that the consumption of alcohol, whilst making important decisions that can have far reaching consequences, is clearly not in the national interest.

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Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Government responded to this petition

    The sale of alcohol on the Parliamentary estate is a matter for the House authorities.

    Read the response in full

    The sale of alcohol on the Parliamentary estate is a matter for the House Authorities. As such, a copy of the petition has been shared with them for their consideration and they have provided the following response:

    “The Parliamentary Estate is a unique environment that combines workplace, public access, events, ceremonial and democratic functions, and the services provided reflect this wide range of users and activities. Alcohol is served in some venues within the Estate which can be accessed by passholders, including Members, staff and others that require access, as well as visitors who attend for events and functions.

    “There are no plans to change the current arrangements. The House Authorities maintain venue management processes and staff training to support safe and moderate consumption and to ensure the responsible operation of catering services. House venues also provide a range of low and no‑alcohol drinks to support individual choice and promote responsible consumption.

    “Parliament’s Behaviour Code sets clear expectations about how everyone should behave when on the Parliamentary Estate. Those who choose to drink in Parliament must do so responsibly.”

    Office of the Leader of the House of Commons

    This is a revised response. The Petitions Committee requested a response which more directly addressed the request of the petition. You can find the original response towards the bottom of the petition page https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/768417

  • Related activity

    Petitions Committee requests a revised response from the Government

    The Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) has considered the Government’s response to this petition. They felt the response did not respond directly to the request of the petition. They have therefore asked the Government to provide a revised response.

    When the Committee receives a revised response from the Government, we will publish this and share it with you.

  • Related activity

    Original Government Response

    The sale of alcohol on the Parliamentary estate is a matter for the House authorities.

    The sale of alcohol on the Parliamentary estate is a matter for the House Authorities. As such, a copy of the petition has been shared with them for their consideration and they have provided the following information:

    “The Parliamentary Estate is a unique environment that combines workplace, public access, events, ceremonial and democratic functions, and the services provided reflect this wide range of users and activities. Alcohol is served in some venues within the Estate which can be accessed by passholders, including Members, staff and others that require access, as well as visitors who attend for events and functions.

    “Parliament’s Behaviour Code sets clear expectations about how everyone should behave when on the Parliamentary Estate. Those who choose to drink in Parliament must do so responsibly.”

    Office of the Leader of the House of Commons

    This response was given on 23 June 2026. The Petitions Committee then requested a revised response, that more directly addressed the request of the petition.

  • Government will respond to this petition

    This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 26 November 2026.