The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers an annual budget statement to Parliament, and is allowed to have a drink during the speech. Speculation over the drink choice is part of an old tradition, but recent chancellors have opted for water. Smoking is banned in the House of Commons.
Each year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the UK’s first finance minister, delivers a budget statement to Members of Parliament meeting in the House of Commons, characterizing the state of the national economy and proposing the following year’s budget, including any changes to tax policies. In keeping with the rules of Parliament, the Chancellor is allowed to have a drink (alcoholic or otherwise) while delivering the budget speech. This ‘cheap drink’ is the only occasion where alcohol is permitted in the chamber of the House of Commons. Speculation over what drink the chancellor will sip as he hands over the budget, which is brought ashore in a ceremonial red ‘shipping box’, is part of an old parliamentary tradition, although recent chancellors have simply opted for mineral or tap water .
A small round of applause for the chancellor:
Benjamin Disraeli enjoyed brandy with water as a cheap drink. His Victorian rival, William Gladstone, preferred sherry with a beaten egg. Other chancellors have opted for whisky, a gin and tonic or a spritzer of wine.
The next Budget speech will be held on 29 October 2018, delivered by the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond. He will most likely stick to plain mineral water as his drink of choice.
While this annual tradition allows for some kind of traditional toast for the chancellor, smoking has been completely banned in the chamber of the House of Commons since 1693.
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