SNP ON MINIMUM PRICING VOTE

For immediate use: Wednesday 22nd September 2010




Attn: Newsdesks
Political / health correspondents




LABOUR TEAM UP WITH TORIES AGAINST SCOTTISH HEALTH


The failure of opposition MSPs to back measures that would cut alcohol
consumption, save lives, money and improve safety in our communities is
deeply disappointing and a damning indictment of opposition parties at
Holyrood.


The proposal for minimum pricing backed by the BMA, the police, all four
UK medical officers, drinks manufacturers, landlords was opposed today by
an alliance of Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems despite the SNP
Government offering a trial period for the policy through a sunset clause.


Minimum pricing at 45p will have saved 50 lives in its first year and the
SNP will now put the proposal before the whole Parliament giving all MSPs
the opportunity to express their view.


Commenting SNP MSP Michael Matheson said:


“Labour simply said no for the sake of saying no. This was an unholy
alliance of Labour and Tory putting party politics before the health of
people in Scotland. 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 3, 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.”