Licensing Act for England and Wales 2003 and Alcohol Policy

The Licensing Act for England and Wales of 2003 which came into force in November 2005 raises a number of general and interesting issues for the political scientist. This research proposal has two objectives: first to examine the politics behind the genesis and the implementation of the act and secondly to use it to illuminate the nature of the policy process and decision making in Britain today in relationship to some policy theories, especially regarding policy change and agenda setting.