Friday 7 March 2008

Cheers.


"IT IS one of the great parliamentary traditions – the Chancellor enjoying a tipple of his choosing as he delivers the Budget. But when Alistair Darling makes his first such assessment of the UK's finances next Wednesday, his glass will be filled with London tap water.Though he has not yet ruled out accompanying it with a nip of whisky, he will avoid bottled water ... but many previous Chancellors have used the opportunity to enjoy a drink in the chamber – otherwise forbidden by parliamentary rules. Kenneth Clarke drank Glenfarclas whisky, while Norman Lamont opted for Highland Park. Before them Geoffrey Howe had a gin and tonic, Benjamin Disraeli drank brandy and water and William Gladstone mixed sherry with beaten egg."

It would be a bit contradictory if the Chancellor enjoyed a glass of whisky at the same time as he announced raising the duty on it during his Budget ... but would you fancy a Gladstone ... a "mixed sherry with beaten egg"? Delicious ... not.

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