Tesco in demand for more legislation shocker

The one thing that you could have been pretty sure about during all these investigations into their activities was their dislike of any form of legislation being introduced - whether it was to create a legal framework for them to more harmoniously deal with their suppliers, or new legislation on where they are able to site their new stores in the future.

Whatever form it might have taken all the major grocers would have been vehemently against any form of legislation being brought in that could in any way affect how they do business. It is always the least desired form of intervention as far as the grocery industry is concerned.

Unless, it helps them of course, which is why on the issue of binge-drinking Tesco has recently stated that it welcomes legislation to crack down on antisocial behaviour as a result of excessive drinking.

But Tesco's welcoming of legislative proposals is nothing more than a passing of the buck. Its posturing on this issue means absolutely nothing in reality. If it really had any desire to play a part in reducing the problems caused from too much drinking among young people then it simply wouldn't sell booze at such ludicrously low prices. But it knows that this would result in a loss of sales, which would be unthinkable.

Instead, it has taken the view that it is best to pass this hot potato on to the government safe in the knowledge that the current regime really does not want to go near anything that even looks like taxation-type policy for fear of adding to the pressure already on Gordon Brown.