Hannah Bardell highlights ongoing issues with drink spiking in Westminster, calling for changes to alcohol sales in Parliament
Westminster: Recently, former MP Hannah Bardell opened up about a troubling incident at the parliamentary pub, Strangers’ Bar. She believes this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
Bardell shared her thoughts with the Herald, saying it’s high time to limit alcohol sales on the parliamentary estate. She thinks the old drinking culture needs a serious shake-up.
The pub was closed after reports of a drink being tampered with on January 7. A female researcher raised the alarm, and Bardell mentioned she knows of at least one other woman who had a similar scary experience.
It’s pretty shocking that incidents like this keep happening. Bardell pointed out that while the House of Commons says they want to improve things, real change seems slow.
No arrests have been made yet, and the UK Parliament won’t be launching its own investigation, but they’re willing to help the police.
Michelle Thomson, another former MP, echoed Bardell’s concerns, calling the situation “absolutely shocking.” She noted that this reflects a broader cultural issue in Westminster.
Thomson shared her own experiences, saying that while she felt safe in Strangers’ Bar, there were other places in Parliament she wouldn’t go near. She described one bar as feeling like a chaotic student union.
A spokesperson for the House of Commons reassured that everyone’s safety is a top priority. The bar has been rebranded and refurbished after a series of incidents.
Thomson has bravely spoken about her own past, including a serious assault she faced at a young age. She emphasized that women often feel unsafe in social settings, which shouldn’t be the case.
In light of the recent incident, Bardell is pushing for a change in alcohol sales, suggesting that drinks should only be available after 6 PM. She believes this would help make the environment safer for everyone.
She criticized the outdated drinking culture in Parliament, saying it makes young women feel vulnerable. Bardell wants Parliament to modernize and restore public trust in politicians.
