SNP slates Labour and Tories over minimum pricing
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has slammed the "unholy alliance" of Labour and Tories for scuppering minimum pricing in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservatives laid an amendment to remove "indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing" of 45p a unit from the Alcohol Bill — which was passed by five votes to three by the Health Committee.
That is despite a promise of a "sunset clause" being introduced to force a review of the policy in six years by the SNP.
The SNP has now vowed to put the plan before the whole Scottish Parliament, giving all MSPs a chance to vote on it.
SNP MSP Michael Matheson slated the "unholy alliance" of Labour and Tory "putting party politics before the health of people in Scotland".
"Labour simply said no for the sake of saying no.
"Labour today voted for a Tory plan that stops the SNP Government taking essential action to improve our health.
"There were no arguments put forward today that justify the oppositions decision to vote down minimum pricing and no alternatives presented. Their arguments were inconsistent and ineffective.
"The point of minimum pricing is to tackle alcohol consumption and to improve our health and wellbeing, it is to help individuals and their families and to support those working in our health and support services.
"Minimum pricing would save lives, cut crime, support our health, social and emergency services and improve our society.
"Scotland must face up to our problems and take bold action to tackle them.
"That is what MSPs are elected for and I hope is what individual MSPs will chose to do at stage three, when all politicians will have the chance to have their say.
"Labour's behaviour and their partnership with the Tories shows they are simply not up to the job of responsible opposition and certainly not up to the job of Government.
"The SNP's plans put public health first - which is exactly what we must do and what we will continue to do with the huge range of organisations across Scotland, every health board, police force, local authorities, children's charities, medical professionals and pubs and drinks manufacturers who support for this plan.
"Labour's decision to team up with the Tories, voting for a Tory plan, to knock down essential health measures out of petty political point scoring is deeply disappointing and damaging to the position of this parliament."
