Fans of the humble pint can drink easy now - the imperial measure has been saved from abolition. This means British pub-goers can order a pint in peace and not have to worry about going all 'Continental' and drink a half litre or, Heaven forbid, a quarter litre of beer while they stand outside and smoke their fags.
Apparently the pint measure, much like miles, yards, feet, inches, pounds and ounces is one of the "traditions that make Britain unique" , according to Günter Verheugen, EU Commission Vice President responsible for enterprise and industry.
Gunter's quote on the subject, which has so alienated the EU from sections of British society, is worth presenting in its entirety: “Our proposal is designed to honour the culture and traditions of Great Britain which are important to the European Commission.
"People in the UK and indeed throughout the EU love the traditions that make Britain unique. There is no good reason why these imperial measures should not continue to be used and we've decided to enshrine this fact in EU law. We can all drink to that!"
Of course we can Gunter, particularly as this amendment to the Metric Weights and Measures Act has been done in true EU style - with a fudge. Both Britain and Ireland can retain their imperial weights and measures not because the law has been revoked because they don't have to fix a date in law for ending them - or in English: the pint is here to stay forever! Cheers!
