Britain’s hard-drinking political culture alive and well at Conservative Party conference

After days filled with lofty speeches, Britain’s political party conferences take on a very different feel at night, when alcohol flows freely at gossipy parties stretching into the small hours.

In one of the stories of debauchery that are a staple of the events, outgoing UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage went swimming in his underwear at his party conference after a drinking session last month.

At the Conservative Party’s conference in Birmingham, central England, Britain’s departure from the European Union has been the talk of the town this year – often over French, Spanish or Italian wine.

The festival atmosphere helps smooth out some of the glaring divisions between Conservatives that emerged during a bitter campaign ahead of Britain’s shock vote in a June referendum to quit the European Union.

“The most important thing is that people are getting along, are not allowing any divisions to affect anything at this conference. It’s a genuine environment,” added Aric Gilinsky, a 25-year-old Conservative supporter who works in banking.