MPs more likely to drink than the rest of us, new study finds

MPs really consume more alcohol than the average Briton, according to new research.

Those who do extra work outside the Commons are the worst offenders – placing them among the country's biggest drinkers.

They are almost three times more prone to risky drinking, warned British medical experts.

Parliamentarians are more likely to indulge in at least four times a week and total a minimum of 10 units on a typical day – a bottle of wine, five pints or ten shots of liquor.

Excessive alcohol consumption – six units or more in a session – is also more common than in the general public. For example, it would be four glasses of wine or six shorts.

And they are more likely to feel guilty about their admission, reports BMJ Open.

The results confirm a long-standing suspicion that MPs spend too much time consuming subsidized beer, wine and spirits while chatting with their Westminster colleagues in many bars and restaurants.

They follow a crackdown on the culture of excess in Parliament, which is linked to complaints of bullying and harassment.

Corresponding author Dr Tony Rao, psychiatrist at Kings College London, said the aim was to explore risky – dangerous, harmful and addictive – use among MPs.

He said: The overall rate of risky alcohol consumption was higher than in the English population, but did not differ significantly from comparable groups in socio-economic and occupational terms.

However, there were higher weighted averages among MPs who drank at least four times a week, drank at least 10 units per day of typical consumption, drank six or more units in a single episode of alcohol consumption and felt guilty about their drinking.

This raises the possibility of an escalation to more serious alcohol-related harm, said Dr. Rao.

He explained: The selection bias of the sample of respondents containing a higher proportion of women compared to the whole MP group, as well as the possibility of underreporting due to concerns about stigma , may underestimate both the amount and frequency of risky drinking and the presence of alcohol-related harm.

He may also have underestimated the likelihood of even greater differences in the consumption of risky alcohol for MPs with additional employment outside of Parliament and those who likely have poor mental health.

The 650 MPs were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey in December 2016 among 146 respondents, more than a third (37%) of whom were women. About half were over 50.

The low levels of participation may have been caused by stigma or fear of being identified, the researchers said.

Dr Rao said: A closer look at the availability of alcohol is warranted, as we understand that there are 30 bars, restaurants and hospitality suites where alcohol is available or sold at the Palace of Westminster, and six bars open most evenings when MPs are voting or waiting to vote.

He said it would be reasonable to assume that most of it is consumed by Parliament

real estate, considering the late working hours.

Dr. Rao added: Although beer and wine are provided free of charge to members of the

Belgian parliament, we are not aware of the availability of alcohol in other parliaments – but this is generally not a feature of the modern workplace.

The researchers pointed out that politicians are subject to increased surveillance which may involve intrusive and aggressive public behavior.

These can be attacks or attempted attacks, threats and damage to property. We know that more than half of MPs can be victims of harassment or harassment.

Dr Rao said: This has implications for both poor mental health and the potential risky use of alcohol.

Stalking is known to be associated with a higher likelihood of mental disorders such as depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and somatoform disorder.

Work-related stress is known to be associated with long hours and time constraints, lack of emotional support, family and constituency problems, and job insecurity.

It is also associated with risky drinking, especially in work environments where alcohol is readily available.

Participants were asked to complete the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) used to find out how much and how often a person drinks.

It also identifies what happens afterwards, such as feelings of guilt or remorse, injuries or blackouts, for example.

The responses were each scored from zero to four and added to give a maximum score of 40. A score greater than eight indicates risky drinking.

Responses were compared to those from the nationally representative Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS), which provides data on the prevalence of treated and untreated mental health problems among English adults.

The GHQ-12, a validated health questionnaire, was used to assess the mental health of the responding MPs.

They were classified as having no evidence of probable poor mental health, less than optimal mental health, or probable psychological disorders or poor mental health.

People with probable mental illness were almost 2.5 times more likely to be at risk drinkers.

About one-fifth (19%) of respondents worked outside of Parliament. Almost a quarter (23%) did not know the Parliamentary Health and Welfare Service.

Dr Rao added: Given the considerable stigma associated with mental health issues, there is a need for MPs to be better informed about their own welfare service, in order to reduce stigma and improve aid looking into Parliament.

A low level of awareness of the Parliamentary Health and Welfare Service has

Implications for improving the detection of risky alcohol consumption and improving access to this service by MEPs.

The increased increased likelihood of risky alcohol use among MPs who also had an additional work role outside of Parliament and among those who likely have mental illness requires further study.

The health and social costs of alcohol in the UK amount to 21 billion a year. One fifth of all people hospitalized in the UK drink at harmful levels, while one in ten is alcohol dependent.

Almost three in ten men (28%) and one in seven women (14%) drink at potentially harmful levels, the researchers said.

They pointed out that since the completion of the survey, two general elections have been held, changing the individuals in the House of Commons.

Last year, MPs were warned not to hold watered lock-ins in their offices after the bars are closed.

Advertisements for alcohol were also banned in the village of Westminster, while canteens were ordered not to serve wine.

The initiatives, which also included the introduction of alcohol-free zones, were introduced to encourage responsible consumption.

Drinks on the estate are significantly cheaper than those billed in pubs and bars in the rest of Westminster, in part because they are compared to hostels in the cheapest parts of the country.

A pint of Carlsberg at the Strangers Bar is 3.35, a glass of Merlot is 2.75 and a bottle of Champagne is 35. In contrast, at the nearby Red Lion pub, a glass of red wine is at least 5 .

Former Member of Parliament Eric Joyce was convicted of assaulting another politician in a fight at the Strangers Bar in 2012, while another former member, Mark Reckless, admitted to having missed a parliamentary vote late at night in 2010 because he was too drunk.

In October, before becoming Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that there was a drink problem to be resolved.