Why is New Labour so intent on spoiling our fun? Panic headlines on Britain’s’ supposed collective binge-drinking problem abound. We’ve had bans and restrictions on smoking in public places, fizzy drinks and junk food in schools, using fireworks late at night, and live entertainment, among others. We are told there is an obesity epidemic – and then that it’s dangerous for us to diet. And now New Labour seems intent on making Britain booze-free. Middle-class stay-at-home vinophiles have become as likely campaign targets as the ‘irresponsible’ alcopop-fuelled ‘binge-drinking masses’ and reports say that ‘ministers want drunkenness in public to be as socially unacceptable in ten years’ time as smoking or drink-driving is today.’
Why is New Labour so keen to regulate the minute details of our lives? Why are they so intent on trying to change the ways we think and act even when we’re out to have a good time? Is this a sensible response to irresponsible behaviour, or should we just tell the government to butt out and stop trying to spoil our fun?
 | James Delingpole columnist, Breitbart News; Spectator |
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 | Dr Maria Grasso lecturer in politics and quantitative methods, Department of Politics, University of Sheffield; author: Generations, Political Participation and Social Change in Western Europe |
| Dr Maria Grasso lecturer in politics and quantitative methods, Department of Politics, University of Sheffield; author: Generations, Political Participation and Social Change in Western Europe | |
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 | recommended by spiked |
