The bookies' favourite as the next Tory leader has urged the government to suspend implementation of the Licensing Act.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said there should be no liberalisation of pub opening hours until measures to tackle problem drinking and town centre disorder are shown to be effective. He is calling for the second appointed day, currently scheduled for November 24, to be put on hold indefinitely. Mr Davis said current problems in many high streets were the result of a change in the licensing guidance in the late 1990s, which removed the requirement to demonstrate a genuine need before granting a new licence.
As a result, said Mr Davis, many town centres are already no-go areas for families due to the high concentration of pubs and bars.
He said many people in residential areas are concerned that extended opening hours will make current problems worse. As an example, he cited a student pub a few hundred yards from his own home, which has applied for a licence until 4am.
However, Mr Davis stopped short of committing the Conservatives to repeal the Act if he replaces Michael Howard as leader. "We would review how it was operating," he said. "However, it is this Goverment that is implementing the Act in November."
Mr Davis, an advocate of lower taxes, also said that was no case to increase alcohol duty to tackle problem drinking. "I don't see why the majority should be penalised because of the actions of a minority, although admittedly it is a very aggressive minority."
He added that there is a strong case for banning happy hours and similar promotions, which he said encourage "accelerated drinking."