Brewery leaders are advocating for the continued availability of alcohol in the UK Parliament, emphasizing its role in promoting local businesses. Peter Jackson, founder of Southwark Brewing Company, noted that exposure from being served in the Commons' Strangers bar has significantly helped their visibility. However, this call comes in the wake of criticisms from the Green Party, which describes the drinking culture in Westminster as 'toxic'. Green MP Hannah Spencer expressed discomfort with the prevalence of drinking among MPs, stating that the smell of alcohol is noticeable during voting sessions. A report from Parliament's watchdog in 2023 indicated that excessive drinking in Commons bars often results in intimidating behavior. Despite these concerns, Labour MP Neil Coyle defended the practice, asserting that a ban on alcohol in Parliament is unnecessary and that local breweries benefit from the current setup.