LIB DEM’S HYPOCRISY ON ALCOHOL EXPOSED.

LIB DEM’S HYPOCRISY ON ALCOHOL EXPOSED.

The SNP today exposed Lib Dem hypocrisy on alcohol as SNP MSP Michael Matheson called on Scottish Lib Dems to adopt their UK colleagues policy in favour of minimum pricing. Despite campaigning for minimum pricing in England, where Labour have ruled it out, the Liberal Democrats are failing to support the policy in Scotland where they could play a role in delivering it. Lib Dem Justice spokesman in Scotland Robert Brown today claimed “the Lib Dems are right to be sceptical” over minimum pricing. In contrast in Westminister Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne has lodged an Early Day Motion calling on the UK Government to consider the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer to introduce minimum pricing. Falkirk West Mr Matheson, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee said; “When figures show 80% of our young people detained for crimes have consumed alcohol prior to doing so it is incumbent on Scotland’s politicans to take action. “That’s why the SNP Government has put forward radical plans to tackle the damaging and dangerous problems surrounding alcohol in Scottish culture. “We’ve got what it takes to tackle Scotland’s problem with alcohol but we must all work together. “It is simply ridiculous to have the Liberal Democrats in England actively campaigning for minimum pricing on alcohol while in Scotland they are standing in the way. “Lib Dem MPs must take on the challenge and explain to Holyrood colleagues the valuable role of minimum pricing as one of the package of measures needed to achieve a reduction in the health, social and economic impact of alcohol on our society.”