THE Commons vote tonight on the introduction of 24-hour drinking will be the final opportunity for MPs to kick some sense into the Government, says North Thanet`s MP Roger Gale.

Speaking at the Commons this morning Mr Gale said: "It is a fine irony that this vote takes place, in a final endeavour to put the brakes on round-the-clock binge drinking, on the very day that the police are launching a crackdown on anti-social behavior resulting from drunkenness.

"Only last week this government sought to use police opinion to persuade the House of Commons to effectively suspend the ancient right of habeas corpus: how strange that the same government is unable or unwilling to listen to the voice of police officers over this unloved measure.

"There has been no public demand, no demand from publicans, no demand from brewers and considerable opposition from the police towards the principle of 24-hour opening of licensed premises.

"We have to hope that once again Labour MPs will listen to reason and join with the Opposition to at the very least delay this ludicrous proposition while the government takes the chance to think again."

However Labour transport minister and South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman said: "This is a gale of hypocrisy from the Conservatives because they supported this legislation initially but now they are moaning about it.

"The best way to handle problems with binge drinking is sensible licensing laws that involve discussing with local people about which pubs should have late licenses.

"The new legislation has a raft of measures to deal sensibly with this situation including not selling alcohol to intoxicated people and spot fines relating to under age drinking.

"The Conservative reaction to this legislation reminds me of an Einstein quote, which is "Madness is doing what you have always done and expecting a different outcome."

"Binge drinking, alcohol related crime and violence existed under the current laws introduced by the Conservatives 18 years ago. Now it is time for a change."