Does the relaxation of Britain's licensing laws deserve seven-out-of-ten for its impact on Britain's drinking habits?
The culture department thinks so. In its review of the controversial relaxation of the alcohol laws it says the overall impact has been "good but could do better".
This should be translated as an admission of shocking failure, according to Letters from a Tory, because the government is so prone to exaggerating any hint of success.
A separate Home Office study will confirm today that later pub closing times have led to a spike in disorder between 3am and 6am.
Blogger Rod Ungate questions why the media continues to connect flexible licensing with binge drinking.
The aptly-named Pub Philosopher agrees: "There is no evidence to show that re-imposing licensing hours would reduce alcohol related crime, so why ban the rest of us law-abiding drinkers from getting a beer a midnight?", asks the post.
The government seems to have some sympathy for these views as it today tries to shift attention to underage drinkers with new measures cracking down on the problem.
But cheap alcohol promotions by supermarkets will not be targeted. Westmonster says this is because they have "lobbied hard against being made scapegoats for pissed-up Britain".
Meanwhile, Liberal Conspiracy says the "social fabric of Britain is under threat, not from binge-drinking, but from a truly terrifying marriage of barking right-wing paternalism and dour left-wing mumsyness".
What do you reckon?
