Three cheers

Yet this u-turn is unlikely to provide a much-needed tonic for David Cameron as questions persist about the effectiveness of his leadership. After all, it was the Prime Minister who first advocated this approach in response to growing public unease over alcohol-related disorder and criminality.

It suggests two things. Either the Tory leader’s position is so fragile that his government is not certain to pass legislation endorsed by the PM – or no one in Downing Street thought to consider how hardworking families might react to the minimum pricing policy at a time when their incomes are failing to keep pace with rises in the cost of living.

While the final decision is the right one despite the protests from the medical profession, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that this is further evidence of weak leadership and even weaker government.