IN FULL: Emotional Speech from Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

| December 3, 2021

IN FULL: Emotional Speech from Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

Liam Byrne MP is a patron of Nacoa UK and the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children of Alcoholics. In this role he has transformed the way that we talk about children of alcoholics in parliament and beyond.

This speech was recorded from the ‘Alcohol Harm’ Debate in the House of Commons, UK, 25th November 2021.

Byrne discusses the purpose of the All Party Parliamentary Group and its ‘Manifesto for Change’ published in 2016. Along with other speakers at the event, Byrne agrees with calls for minimum unit pricing. He also calls for greater restrictions on marketing around alcohol.

‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

The most powerful moments are where he talks about his own experiences as someone for whom alcoholism has ‘cascaded through the generations’. Like millions of others in the UK, Bryne is the child and the grandson of an alcoholic.

Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

The APPG for Children of Alcoholics made great strides in the years after its establishment. After our campaigning, the government recognised the need for a children of alcoholics strategy. They then committed funding to support these vulnerable children. Here was the first such strategy of this kind in the UK.

It is with great shock and sadness this year that we saw the government totally abolish the strategy for children of alcoholics, cutting all its funding to Nacoa and other organisations involved. This will leave children of alcoholics yet again out in the cold.

We hope this is just a mistake. Following this development, the APPG for Children of Alcoholics is calling for the government to reinstate a bare minimum of support for children of alcoholics.

If you would like to support our cause, please contact us for more details.

Leave a Reply

IN FULL: Emotional Speech from Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

'I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too...

IN FULL: Emotional Speech from Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

'I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too...

  • About Nacoa

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • About Nacoa

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Hello!

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa branding - style guide

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Contact us Person looking at Nacoa's website for people affected by a parent's drinking to show different ways to contact for support or to get involved with the charity to help other children of alcoholics

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Governance

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • History

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa Helpline

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Calling the helpline

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Helpline FAQs

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Managing browser history

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Monitoring & evaluation

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Policies & procedures

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Our people

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Abie Dunlop

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Amanda Brett

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Amy Dickson

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Carolyn Jones

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Ceri Walker

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Dr Piers Henriques

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Euan Graham Euan Graham

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Hilary Henriques MBE

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Jamie Brett

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Jane Elson

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Josh Connolly

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Katy Stafford

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Laurence McAllister Alleyne

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Liam Tullberg Liam Tullberg Nacoa

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Lindsay Doherty

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Maya Parker MA

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Peter Irwin

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Patrons & ambassadors

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • The Nacoa Promise

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Experiences Search Result

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Get involved

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Donate or become a member

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • About Gift Aid

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Become a corporate member

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Become a member

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Welcome new member

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Donate in memory

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Gift in your will

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Give in celebration

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Make a donation

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Thank you!

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • More ways to give

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Fundraising

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Thank you for signing up to Big Nacoa Walk 2024! Big Nacoa Walk thumbnail

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Raise awareness

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Sponsored events

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Volunteering

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa Volunteer Application Form

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Message boards

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Log In

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Message board rules of conduct

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Start a new topic

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking Nacoa UK Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • News & events

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Events

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Features

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Latest

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • News

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Privacy and cookies policy

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Research & resources

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Books, videos and media

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa professionals training

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Nacoa publications

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Research

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Widening Access

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Some Punjabi and Sikh parents drink too much…

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Support & advice

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Adults

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Books, videos and media

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • FAQs

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Help and advice

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Information

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Personal experiences

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Children

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Books, videos and media

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • FAQs

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Help and advice

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Information

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Personal experiences

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Concerned others & professionals

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Books, videos and media

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • FAQs

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Help and advice

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Information

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Personal experiences

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Young people

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Books, videos and media

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • FAQs

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Help and advice

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Information

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Personal experiences

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

  • Topics

    ‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

IN FULL: Emotional Speech from Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

Liam Byrne MP is a patron of Nacoa UK and the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children of Alcoholics. In this role he has transformed the way that we talk about children of alcoholics in parliament and beyond.

This speech was recorded from the ‘Alcohol Harm’ Debate in the House of Commons, UK, 25th November 2021.

Byrne discusses the purpose of the All Party Parliamentary Group and its ‘Manifesto for Change’ published in 2016. Along with other speakers at the event, Byrne agrees with calls for minimum unit pricing. He also calls for greater restrictions on marketing around alcohol.

‘I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.’

The most powerful moments are where he talks about his own experiences as someone for whom alcoholism has ‘cascaded through the generations’. Like millions of others in the UK, Bryne is the child and the grandson of an alcoholic.

Liam Byrne at Alcohol Harm Debate

The APPG for Children of Alcoholics made great strides in the years after its establishment. After our campaigning, the government recognised the need for a children of alcoholics strategy. They then committed funding to support these vulnerable children. Here was the first such strategy of this kind in the UK.

It is with great shock and sadness this year that we saw the government totally abolish the strategy for children of alcoholics, cutting all its funding to Nacoa and other organisations involved. This will leave children of alcoholics yet again out in the cold.

We hope this is just a mistake. Following this development, the APPG for Children of Alcoholics is calling for the government to reinstate a bare minimum of support for children of alcoholics.

If you would like to support our cause, please contact us for more details.

Useful links

The Nacoa helpline Become a member of Nacoa UK Contact us Make a donation

Recent Donations

You are not alone

Remember the Six "C"s

I didn’t cause it
I can’t control it
I can’t cure it
I can take care of myself
I can communicate my feelings
I can make healthy choices

Resources you may like

Parental Substance Use: Supporting School Aged Children

By Hannah Todman and Sarah Galvani (A BASW Practice Guide)
Twinkle, Twinkle Arti

By Danielle Slade
The 1 in 5 Documentary: A film about the forgotten children of alcoholics

By John Taylor
5-Step Self-Help Handbook for Family Members

By AFINet
Nacoa lunchtime lives

By Josh Connolly and special guests
Find Your Oasis – A collection of writing from those affected

By Various

Keep in touch

To find out more about our events and activities, subscribe to our mailing list

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.