Royston is getting increasingly concerned about the problems of drinking in the city centre and the impact this is having on local residents who also want to be able to enjoy the town at night.

The Police are doing the best they can but dealing with thousands of young people many of whom have had too much to drink in stretching them to their limits. Conservatives have warned that under the new licensing laws, due to come into affect this year, local councillors and many local residents will be gagged from opposing late licences or new premises.

Royston, remarked, “Tony Blair’s new licensing laws are an affront to local democracy. In many cases, the voice of local people in Southampton will be silenced and unable to object to controversial new late licences. The Labour Government has intentionally gagged the say of local councillors to sideline local opposition.
 
“This ill-thought-out legislation will stretch out police even further and lead to binge drinking in teh city. Residents in the other centres, like Bitterne and Swaythling will suffer as the Police are forced to deal with increased crime in the town centre instead of tackling anti-social behaviour and burglary in residential areas."

Royston concluded, "it’s now clear that Mr Blair doesn’t care about the views of local residents either. Yet again he has forgotten – and is prepared to ignore – the majority of people. It is time to halt the implementation of these new licensing laws and give local residents and their elected councillors a proper say over the running of pubs and clubs in their neighbourhood.”