Expensive UK Government Wine Cellar Causes Controversy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-30-2009 @ 11:54PM

C.S. said...

I don't think the comparison to the White House is apt. First off, there is one President, but 1,388 members of Parliament. What is referred to by the article? Is it all 1,388 members? Or the 646 members of the House of Commons? Or -- since the article refers to "Whitehall" and the "Government" -- do they just mean the ministers? Either way, there's a lot of people with a claim on that wine, as opposed to the White House cellar. In fact, I'm kind of shocked that the White House stocks so little wine. I know Dubya wasn't a wine guy -- and claimed not to drink at all -- but 500-600 bottles wouldn't last any president very long.

And why has nobody pointed out the obvious about the English cellar --- that the collection was most likely built up over time. I can't imagine they spent £792,000 -- that's just what it's worth now. There's probably also a tax advantage for an MP or Minister to donate his private cellar as well.

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