UK: Police Call for Lawmakers to Come Forward After Parliament Bar Incident

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Above: A general view of Big Ben seen behind one of the Landseer bronze lions in Trafalgar Square on Jan. 20, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. Image copyright: HENRY NICHOLLS/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Strangers' Bar should be reopened but with proper safety measures in place to address concerns such as drink spiking. Parliament is a unique space, with some areas serving as workplaces and others not. Security across the estate is crucial, given the threats Members of Parliament face. Shutting down the bar may push lawmakers and staff to venues off the estate, where security is weaker, increasing their vulnerability. Maintaining controlled, secure spaces within Parliament is vital for safety.

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Establishment-critical narrative

Closing Strangers' Bar is long overdue. Most workplaces don't serve alcohol throughout the day, and it's not normal for colleagues to regularly drink with their bosses. The bar fosters a culture of drinking that contributes to inappropriate behavior, including missed votes and misconduct. Removing alcohol from the estate would promote a healthier work environment and reduce the power imbalances sustained by this drinking culture.

ParliamentThe i Paper

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 3% chance that the House of Commons will be elected by proportional representation by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.