A ROW OVER council proposals to limit “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in central London has drawn in everyone from the city’s mayor to the prime minister. The raft of measures set out by Westminster council aim to tackle overcrowded footpaths outside pubs in Soho and the West End, one of central London’s most populous areas. “The government is devolving new licensing powers to the mayor [of London] to help support pubs and nightlife. The UK government will be granting new powers to Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to allow him to “call in” local council decisions he opposes. “Westminster council, I think, should be put horizontal.