From the Minstry of Love: Proles may not get cheap beer

Comrade Brown seems to be turning his spotlight on supermarkets who sell alcohol at below cost, effectively as a loss leader. A Labour MP has branded the Tesco Chief Executive as 'the godfather of British binge-drinking'. During a Commons debate, the same MP said “Beer is being sold below the cost of water. It is not baked beans we are talking about here; there has to be a totally different attitude.”

At the risk of being anti-totalitarian, isn't there a demand side problem to be resolved as well as a supply side? Surely people need to be educated that quality not quantity is the key. OK, I have a vested interest but is anyone getting value from 20 half litre cans of lager for £10? The brewer? The retailer? The consumer? Winston Smith?