Neither Funny nor Clever

Various bloggers have been writing kindly about the last hurrah of drinking on tube trains and other London Transport before the ban came into being at midnight last night. They have been supportive of showing Boris that he is wrong and a spoilsport and of those holding "farewell" drinking parties on the tube last night. Predictably these so called parties ended in assault, vandalism, vomit and civil disorder, with several tube stations closed and many arrested.

Now I regard this ban as wise and sensible. Who really wants to see people drinking on public transport, unless that public transport is properly equipped for the purpose? Not many I suspect. Most that "require" further drink on the tube will probably have already had too much, as in a kind of circular way, that's the only time it would occur to most people that it was a good idea in the first place. The tube can be difficult enough without the unpredictability being enhanced by a bit of in carriage boozing.

This protest was ill advised, self indulgent and ended badly. It further advances the silly, but oft repeated caricature of a Britain where drinking is out of control and gives ammo to the anti drink lobbyists who are gaining ground. Ironically, it is likely to give a severe boost to Boris' efforts where he might otherwise have struggled.

The law of unintended consequences clearly illustrated!