Gordon Brown's war on teen binge drinkingBy Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor
Gordon Brown will unveil a crackdown on teenage alcohol abuse this week in an attempt to end the "excessive drinking culture" among young people.
The campaign, clearly designed to appeal to Middle Britain's voters, attempts to tackle overconsumption by under-18s both on the streets and in the home.
Mr Brown has vowed action on teenage drinking as he puts Labour on alert for a snap general election, which may be held at the end of October.
He will use Labour's annual conference, which begins in Bournemouth today, to unveil policies he believes will capture support from Conservative and Liberal Democrat voters.
Key among them is the scheme to fight the growing menace of teenage alcoholism, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose, only a year after Labour changed the law to allow pubs and clubs to open later. Mr Brown has told Ed Balls, his closest Cabinet confidant: "This is one of my top priorities."
Mr Balls, the Children, Schools and Families Secretary, and Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, will lead the drive to tackle teenagers drinking to excess at home.
The plans include the first ever set of guidelines on safe drinking for under-18s to be published — aimed at parents of teenagers.
Contributor: Tom Colhurst
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