London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – You might have often wondered why can the chancellor drink when it is prohibited for everyone else in the House of Commons. This does seem like something that has a major background because you don’t normally see this kind of thing happening. So, keep reading to find out more about your query!
Reason why can the chancellor drink?
As per tradition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is the single speaker of the House of Commons who is permitted to consume alcohol in the chamber. The country’s senior finance minister is permitted to use a sharpener when making his or her Budget address at the dispatch box. It’s just customary that Philip Hammond may present the Budget alongside enjoying a quick pint or a tiny dram.
It is a legislative luxury that has been passed down throughout the generations and has endured the test of time. The chancellor’s ability to drink anything they want during the Budget is due to the idea that it has traditionally been the case.
Further Information
Over several hundred years, the country’s main financial minister could show up at the despatch box with anything they wanted to pass through the address. Philip Hammond is reluctant to indulge when standing at the despatch box, as the three former chancellors, George Osborne, Alistair Darling, and Gordon Brown, have all adhered to mineral water.
Whereas not all chancellors have been nearly that sober. Upon presenting the Autumn Budget 2017, Phillip Hammond chose to sip water. Ken Clarke, the last Tory in government before George Osborne, delivered his Budget after drinking a scotch.
Furthermore, the Conservatives appear to be significantly more enthusiastic about the change than some other parties, with Nigel Lawson preferring a spritzer and Geoffrey Howe preferring a gin and tonic. Earlier, Benjamin Disraeli preferred sinking a brandy with water, whereas his great opponent William Gladstone sipped a sherry with a beaten egg.
Read More: How Many Bars In The House of Commons?
Budget Speech
Budget speeches have historically been rather long, and the Chancellor is permitted to drink alcohol as a result. Furthermore, even after drinking and smoking were prohibited in the chamber, the same cause remained.
The Chancellor’s political and constitutional authority varies from that of an MP, whether in government, resistance, frontbench, or backbench and as a result, they are given more liberty. The major factor, however, is a result of constitutional history and tradition.
Rishi Sunak
Despite numerous previous chancellors, teetotaler Rishi Sunak preferred water rather than alcohol when he presented his Budget to MPs in the Commons – however, there was good news for drinkers as he revealed intentions to cut alcohol duty, suggesting cheap pints as soon as Wednesday night.
A few observers made jokes that Sunak must have been high on something to announce a reduction in air passenger duty so close to the crucial Cop26 summit meeting in Glasgow next week, where Boris Johnson is given the task of convincing world leaders to comply on new emission-cutting targets that improve on all those planned out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Archaic parliamentary norms enable chancellors to sip a drink while outlining their expenditure plans. And many previous residents of 11 Downing Street have taken advantage of the possibility to drink their favorite cocktail before outlining how they intend to use taxpayers’ money.
Former Tory chancellor Kenneth Clarke’s poison of preference was whisky. Before him, Margaret Thatcher’s No. 2 Nigel Lawson chose a range of drinks, notably Ashbourne Water and a blend of wine and Malvern water. Former Labour chancellor Hugh Dalton ordered a coke and a rum. Although the latest Budget days have proven to be “dry,” with the chancellor most inclined to have a drink of water than alcohol at their sides, there is still enjoyment to be had for bettors who enjoy a wager.
Conclusion
Annually, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the UK’s top finance minister, provides a budget statement to the assembled Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, characterizing the condition of the national economy and suggesting the budget for the following year, such as potential changes to taxation policies. According to Parliamentary norms, the chancellor may consume a drink (alcoholic or anything else) while making the budget address.
This is the sole event that alcohol is permitted in the House of Commons chamber. Speculation regarding what beverage the chancellor would drink when delivering the budget, which is delivered to the floor in a ceremonial crimson “despatch box,” is an old parliamentary custom. Even though, recently chancellors have been consuming mineral water instead of wine. Hopefully, now you are all up to date with this why can the chancellor drink!