G&T

It kind of sums up the state of the British economy. And we’re expected not to notice. I bought a bottle of Tanqueray gin today. It is has a ‘special edition’ new label, which I think like a government soundbite is meant to distract us. What’s really changed is that the alcohol content which used to be a satisfactory 47% has dropped to 41% It’s the same price of course. Like so many things, shrinkflation has set in with perhaps England’s most iconic drink, but it pretends to be the same thing. A similar story pertains to wine, which thanks to Jeremy Hunt’s time as Chancellor has become weaker, in order to avoid higher duties. There is an Australian wine which used to be called ‘The Full Fifteen.’ Somehow, ‘The Full Fourteen and Half’ doesn’t have the same ring to it. Of course, much of this will be attributed to the government’s deep concern for the nation’s livers, nothing to do with raising revenues. But as people get used to weaker drinks, I wonder if they will get happier with the state of the economy, which apart from anything else seems to be run by a crew of philistines telling us how bad things are and how we should get ready for war.