Booze on the London Tube ends with a bang

From midnight on Saturday, new regulations brought in by the city's new mayor, Boris Johnson, ban alcohol on buses, trains and trams.

Picking up the westbound Circle Line at Liverpool Street at 2000 BST, the mood was jubilant and good natured.

It was a mixed crowd. Some were in black tie, others in going-out outfits, while others decorated the carriages with party paraphernalia.

Some had even come from Scotland - others from Southampton.

I spoke to an accountant, a demolition worker, a student, and several web developers.

Political point

Some had turned up simply to have a good time while others believed they had a political point.

This was a free country, they said, it should be a right to drink on the Tube.

Ross Canzio, a student from Chiswick, west London, said: "I think it's stupid that he's banning it when people are being stabbed every day in London and Boris Johnson decides the big thing to do is ban drinking on the Tube.

"Instead of tackling the wider issues he's trying to make a point."

Ben Kahn, a lecturer in economics from east Finchley, thought London was "supposed to be free".

"You want to close down our rights then we make a demonstration about it. We like freedom! Liberty!

"So they want to close it down, and we go out and make a statement - with a drink."

An accountant, who did not wished to be named, said: "There's a lot of problems with London and drinking on the Tube is not one of them. It's a minor point. It is typical Tory middle class policy.

"So we are here to say 'there's nothing wrong with having a beer'."

Boris gets on

Like the crowds, the drinks were mixed.

Some simply drank from cans of beer, while others hit the vodka and whisky, and sipped cocktails and champagne.

And as the drinks started to take effect, the mood became boisterous.

Passengers who earlier in the evening had enjoyed the spectacle were losing patience.

The looks of irritation on the platform were obvious, while in my carriage one man snatched a cigarette from the hands of party-goer demanding he put it out.

Throughout my two-and-a-half hours on the train I saw only a handful of police officers.