One of Sir Keir Starmer’s most senior ministers stamped on a proposal floated by a colleague at Labour’s annual rally for pubs to close early as part of a health drive.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, who is widely seen as the Prime Minister’s ministerial righthand man, poured cold water on the suggestion.
It had been made by public health minister Andrew Gwynne who mooted how the Government is considering a shake-up in licensing laws in a bid to improve the nation’s health and tackle anti-social behaviour.
Speaking at Labour conference in Liverpool, Mr Gwynne told how England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, had highlighted that the bill for treating preventable diseases now totals some 40 per cent of the NHS budget and would jump to 60 per cent if trends continue.
Mr Gwynne explained that one of the key harms was alcohol abuse and that licensing issues were the responsibility of the Home Office.
He stressed: “Actually there is a big win for the Home Office because a lot of domestic violence they have to deal with is as a direct consequence of alcohol.
“These are discussions that we have got to have - even if it’s just about tightening up on some of the hours of operation; particularly where there are concerns that people are drinking too much.”
But Mr McFadden quickly rejected the idea that pubs would be forced to close early.
Speaking on LBC Radio, he first jested: “Is there still time at the conference for me to table an emergency resolution or am I going back to my old days in Opposition?”
But then he added: “I don’t think there is any plan to shut the pubs early.
“The pub is a great part of British life.”
The MP for Wolverhampton South East also told how he was planning to have a drink in coming days.
“I don’t have a drink during conference, that is partly so I can look forward to a nice one when the conference is over and I hope the pub will be open when I go in,” he said.
He added he was planning a pint of Guinness after the rally finishes in Liverpool.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, warned the ‘half-baked plans’ to force pubs to close early would hit the trade, with 50 of them already closing each month.
A Department for Health spokesperson said it was “categorically untrue” that the Government is considering forcing pubs to close early.
Mr McFadden was forced to intervene in the debate about pubs closing early ahead of Sir Keir’s keynote speech to Labour conference.
He stressed that Sir Keir’s address is a big moment for the party and the country.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “I woke up this morning thinking 'This is the first speech from our Labour Prime Minister to a Labour conference for 15 years.' It's such a long time.
“This is a big moment certainly for my party, it's a big moment for the country, whether people support Labour or don't support Labour. Just the change that it symbolises when Keir Starmer stands up and makes a speech this afternoon is enormous."
He was due to still argue that Labour inherited a dismal public finances situation from the previous Tory administration, but also raise hopes of better times ahead.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves sought to deliver a similar message on Monday.
Their speeches come after the “clothesgate” row, with Sir Keir, Ms Reeves and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner at the centre of controversy having accepted thousands of pounds of free clothes from donor, a practice which has not stopped.
The Government is also facing a showdown vote, being pushed by unions, over axing the winter fuel payments for most pensioners as Ms Reeves seeks to get the publice finances back in order.
She has warned of more difficult decisions on tax rises and further public spending cuts in her Octobr 30 Budget.
