The public is charged huge sums (around 9.1 million in 2020/21, Commons only) to subsidise the lifestyle of Lords and MPs in Parliament. There are numerous bars, restaurants and hair salons within the Parliamentary estate in which highly-paid MPs and Lords can enjoy high-quality food and drink at a fraction of the price ordinary people would pay. The excuse for having so many food and drink outlets, in particular, is that security costs for Parliamentarians visiting establishments outside the premises would make this even more expensive. This petition simply asks that MPs and Lords pay the full price for what they eat and drink without taking subsidies from a populace which has faced austerity for decades. Parliamentarians should take their own sandwiches and a flask to work, like ordinary people.

The Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell MP, said she was open to "having a debate" on the future of drinking venues on the Parliamentary estate after one bar was temporarily closed for a security review linked to an allegation of drink spiking. She also said that she was open to having a public debate on whether there should be any bars on the estate at all. She went on to say she did not "get the sense that there's a groundswell" of support for closing these (outlets) down.

This petition doesn't demand the closure of outlets, simply that subsidising them is wrong and should stop. Let's give her the debate she welcomes.