The only place in England where it is perfectly legal to smoke in a bar in 2009 is in the Palace of Westminster, which contains both the Houses of Commons and Lords.

Hence, the very people who introduced the smoking ban can, and many do,  legally smoke in all of the bars in which food is not served (with the exception of the Stranger’s Bar) and in their offices,  as the Palace of Westminster is not covered by Health and Safety Legislation.

Interesting to note that in their Manifesto, prior to the ban, the Labour Party stated that they intended to introduce a ban which would exempt private members’ clubs and all pubs not serving food.

At the end of the day, the only places exempt from the ban were their own bars and offices.

And they have the affrontory to address themselves as the ‘Right Honourable’ in the Commons and as ‘Noble’ in the Lords !

FOOTNOTE : Our elected and non-elected friends in the Palace of Westminster have reportedly reached a gentleman’s agreement to smoke in designated areas outside of the bars – but that’s just a gentleman’s agreement and there aren’t many of them in there !    (Dec 2011)