I supported Labour's free market - and freedom of choice policy on this.
If I want to have a civilised drink over a conversation until about midnight in a pub, that is my business, provided the pub wants to serve me.
Why should the state return to the days of forcing me to queue to go to a noisy aggressive night club?

Most of the pubs will be open about an extra hour and that cannot be responsible for the amount of binge drinking.

Don't restrict everyone because of those who abuse it.

24 hour drinking is actually a misnomer in practice. I hope they have the courage to keep the new policy unchanged.

Joe James Broughton, London, UK

Hasn't Brown ever seen a town centre at 2 o'clock in the morning? Where does he live? Not in Britain, obviously. Nobody in their right mind would have introduced 24 hr drinking in Britain. It was a decision devoid of any morality. Having done so, proves how completely out of touch with reality Labour have been. How many more million will have to be spent to rectify things I wonder? What wasters!

Judy , Liverpool, england

You only need to look at our European neighbours to realise that binge drinking no longer becomes a pressing issue under 24 hour liecencing. The Government needs to wake up and realise that things do not happen overnight and need to be given time before they are fully effective.

James, Essex,

The Licensing Act 2003 has given rise to more choice, however at what price.

Lessons clearly need to be learned from the impact it has had on society, concerned businesses, schools and Local Authorities and the NHS (in respect of cost and violence).

What we need is a greater Police presence to complement the security services that assist in implementing the legislation. More police powers that apply to this particular legislation. More investment in training the staff in the industry: and making the people who put a strain on the resources of the police and NHS more accountable for their actions: especially binge drinkers and violent offenders.

Fernando Rose , Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Dear oh dear, just when I thought we were starting to be treated like the responsible adults that the vast majority of us are Brown and his posse of moral guardians decide to take us back to the dark ages. Well, I think we should congratulate the puritans that appear to be pulling the strings here - I'm sure they'll be very proud to see the return kicking-out time brawls as pubs simultaneously chuck thousands out onto the street to make their own entertainment.

Anthony, London, UK

What precisely is wrong with having a look at the evidence so far?
Is that not responsible government?
If mistakes have been made, or lessons are there to be learned, then this can only be right. Maybe some adjustments can be brought forward to counter problems in certain areas, such as town centres. Nobody seems to be talking about a wholesale rollback of the laws, just a review of the evidence so far.

or is this another damned if they do and damned if they don't situation? I prefer an open minded approach

Roy Ellor, Salford, UK

I don't think a straight forward return to the 11pm curfew is the awnswer. That had lots of problems with drunkeness and a big rush of drunk idiots being thrown out at the same time and starting fights.

I think staggered closing times should be kept, but councils should have greater power to set closing times for individual premises and ensure a good mix between places that are aimed at younger people and older,more relaxed drinkers.

Luke Nicolaides, London, UK

Dear oh dear, just when I thought we were starting to be treated like the responsible adults that the vast majority of us are Brown and his posse of moral guardians decide to take us back to the dark ages. Well, I think we should congratulate the puritans that appear to be pulling the strings here - I'm sure they'll be very proud to see the return of kicking-out time brawls as pubs simultaneously chuck thousands out onto the street to make their own entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.

Anthony, London, UK

the rally against drinking and alcohol is now well underway now that the state nannies have outlawed smoking.the publicising of rises in violence,deteriorating health and supposed binge drinking are now becoming more prevailent and how much longer before the propaganda machine succeeds in raising duty on alcohol beyond reasonable levels,increases the legal age for drinkers and pushes for more draconian legislation.isn t it wonderful being a man of fifty and not able to make my own choices.

jiji, york, n.yorks