British MPs are three times more likely to ‘drink riskily’ and down an entire bottle of wine on a standard day than members of the public, a study suggests.
Those parliamentarians who carry out extra work outside the Commons are more likely to be the worst culprits and end up among the country’s heaviest boozers.
Members of Parliament are also more likely to indulge in alcohol at least four times a week, drink a minimum of ten units a day — equivalent to five pints, ten shots or a bottle of wine — and binge drink six or more units in one session.
Experts also found that MPs are more liable to feel guilty about their alcohol intake.
Since the study was undertaken in 2016, there has been a crackdown on the ‘culture of excess’ in Parliament, which was linked to bullying and harassment.
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British MPs are three times more likely to ‘drink riskily’ and down an entire bottle of wine on a standard day than members of the public, a study suggests
Psychiatrist and paper author Tony Rao of King’s College London said the objective of the study was to explore ‘risky — hazardous, harmful and dependent — drinking among MPs.’
‘The overall rate of risky drinking was higher than in the English population but did not differ significantly from groups comparable in both socio-economic and occupational status.’
MPs were more likely, however, to partake in ‘drinking at least four times per week, drinking at least 10 units on a typical drinking day, drinking six units or more in a single drinking episode and feeling guilty about their drinking.’
Risky drinking behaviours have the potential to escalate into more serious alcohol-related harm, Dr Rao explained.
All 650 MPs in December 2016 were invited to take part in an anonymous online survey — with 146 responding, of whom more than a third (37%) were women and around half were over the age of 50.
The low levels of participation may have been prompted by stigma or fear of being identified, the researchers said.
This — alongside the fact that the sample of responding MPs featured a higher proportion of women than is actually found in parliament — may have led to an underestimation of both the quantity and frequency of risky drinking.
‘It may have also underestimated the likelihood of even greater differences in risky drinking for MPs with additional employment outside parliament — and those with probable mental ill health.’
Those parliamentarians who carry out extra work outside the Commons are more likely to be the worst culprits and end up among the country’s heaviest boozers
‘Further examination of alcohol availability is warranted, as we understand there are 30 bars, restaurants and hospitality suites at which alcohol is available or sold in the Palace of Westminster,’ said Dr Rao.
Alongside this, he added, there are ‘six bars open most evenings when MPs are voting or waiting to vote.’
He said it would be reasonable to assume most alcohol is consumed on the parliamentary estate, given MPs late working hours.
‘Although beer and wine are provided free to members of the Belgian parliament, we are not aware of the availability of alcohol within other parliaments – but this is not generally a feature of the modern workplace,’ Dr Rao added.
Members of Parliament are also more likely to indulge in alcohol at least four times a week, drink a minimum of ten units a day — equivalent to five pints, ten shots or a bottle of wine — and binge drink six or more units in one session
The researchers pointed out that politicians are subject to increased scrutiny that may involve intrusive and aggressive behaviours from the public.
These may include attacks or attempted attacks, threats and property damage. It is known that over half of MPs may experience stalking or harassment.
‘This has implications for both mental ill health and the potential risky use of alcohol,’ said Dr Rao.
‘Stalking is known to be associated with a higher likelihood of mental disorders such as depression, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.’
‘Work-related stress is known to be associated with long working hours and time pressures, 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 accessible.’
The participants were asked to fill in the so-called Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, which assesses how much and how often a person drinks.
It also identifies what happens afterwards — such as may include feelings of guilt or remorse, injury or blackouts.
Answers were each scored from zero to four and added to give a maximum score of 40. A score above eight indicates risky drinking.
Responses were compared with those of the nationally representative 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, which provides data on the prevalence of treated and untreated mental health issues among English adults.
The GHQ-12, a validated health questionnaire, was used to assess the mental health of the responding MPs.
They were categorised as having no evidence of probable mental ill health, less than optimal mental health or probable psychological disturbance or mental ill health.
Those with ‘probable’ mental illness were nearly 2.5 times as likely to be risky drinkers.
Around a fifth of the respondents also worked outside of Parliament.
Almost a quarter were unaware of the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service.
Experts also found that MPs are more liable to feel guilty about their alcohol intake. Since the study was undertaken in 2016, there has been a crackdown on the ‘culture of excess’ in Parliament, which was linked to bullying and harassment
‘Given the considerable stigma associated with mental health problems, there is a need for MPs to be better informed about their own well-being service, to reduce stigma and improve help seeking within Parliament,’ Dr Rao added.
The health and social costs of alcohol in the UK add up to around £21 billion ($26.9 billion) a year.
A fifth of all those admitted to hospital in the UK drink at harmful levels, while one in ten members of the population are alcohol dependent.
Almost three in ten men and one in seven women drink at potentially harmful levels, said the researchers.
The researchers noted that, since the survey was carried out, two general elections have been held, changing the individuals in the House of Commons.
Last year, MPs were warned not to hold boozy ‘lock-ins’ at their offices after bars shut, alcohol adverts were banned in the Westminster village and canteens were ordered not to serve wine.
These initiatives, which also included the introduction of ‘alcohol free zones’, were introduced to encourage ‘responsible consumption’.
Drinks on the parliamentary estate are significantly cheaper than those charged in pubs and bars in the rest of Westminster, partly because they are benchmarked against hostelries in less expensive parts of the country.
A pint of Carlsberg at Strangers’ Bar is £3.35, a glass of Merlot is £2.75 and a bottle of Champagne is £35, for example — whereas a glass of red wine at the nearby Red Lion pub costs at least £5.
Former MP Eric Joyce was convicted of assaulting a fellow politician during a brawl in Strangers’ Bar in 2012, and another ex-member, Mark Reckless, confessed to missing a late-night parliamentary vote in 2010 because he was too drunk.
In October, before becoming Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there was a drink problem that ‘needs to be addressed.’
The full findings of the study were published in the journal BMJ Open.