Ian Paisley had a one-way view on alcohol – it was the devil’s buttermilk. He didn’t explain whether the devil produced it for humans or for his own consumption but he was four-square agin it
What then might he think if he could see the party he founded blocking an attempt by just about all the other parties at Stormont to discourage alcohol use by introducing a minimum price for the stuff?
For some time I too resisted this notion of hiking the price and so decreasing the consumption. Why should people with little money be kept from alcohol while the rich could get blocked every night If they chose? However, I’m now forced to eat (or drink) my words: Scotland, Wales and the south of Ireland have seen fewer alcohol-related deaths since minimum pricing was put on their books. I’m convinced: there’s no arguing with a scheme that protects people from self-harm.
But I’m not surprised to see the DUP vote against what has been proven to be a health plus move. Some DUPers have said they’d rather eat grass than have a reunited Ireland. It now looks as though the DUP will produce its traditional NO regarding alcohol sales and dream up some sewage-stained reasons for doing so. Except we all know why they’re doing it in fact: they’d rather people die than vote alongside Sinn Féin.
While I agree with reason you’ve suggested the DUP voted against this idea, I’m glad they did.
There’s plenty more important things the Assembly should be addressing than trying to pretend they care about the people by introducing minimum unit pricing for alcohol.
It’s a prime example of the ‘Nanny State’.
I haven’t been in favour of this move for much the same reason as yourself but if as you say (and I have no reason not to believe you) it would cut down the number of deaths caused by alcoholic addiction, then I say yes. If the DUP are against it simply because the Shinners support it, that is mind boggling. If so they really are pathetic.