CONSERVATIVE CONFUSION GROWS OVER ALCOHOL PRICING

CONSERVATIVE CONFUSION GROWS OVER ALCOHOL PRICING

IDS “COWARDICE” ATTACK REBOUNDS ON SCOTTISH TORIES

Calls by Conservative policy coordinator Iain Duncan Smith for an
increase in alcohol pricing to defy ‘immoral’ supermarkets and crack
down on nuisance drinking have added to the confusion surrounding the
position of the Scottish Tories who oppose action on alcohol pricing.

In an attack which will be deeply embarrassing for Scottish Tory
leader Annabel Goldie, Mr Duncan Smith – the former Tory leader - says
that the political parties are “in the grip of cowardice” for failing
to advocate a jump in the cost of alcohol for fear of alienating the
voters before the general election.

Mr Duncan Smith also says: “We are into unpopular territory, but to
deal with something like alcohol that is damaging the fabric of the
nation we need to raise prices. There is a direct connection between
the price of alcohol and consumption.”

Commenting, SNP MSP and member of the Scottish Parliament's Health
Committee, Michael Matheson, said:

“Iain Duncan Smith’s contribution to this debate is welcome and
underlines the growing recognition that we need action on alcohol
pricing.

“The frankness of the former Tory leader is in stark contrast to the
muddled and opportunistic position taken by the Conservatives in the
Scottish Parliament. Indeed politicians who oppose action on alcohol
pricing now look increasingly irresponsible.

“If the Tories are serious about taking action then they should
support the Scottish Government proposals.

“The scale of Scotland's alcohol misuse problem is shocking: 42,500
alcohol-related hospital discharges; 1,500 deaths per year; soaring
rates of liver cirrhosis; the eighth highest consumption in the world,
and a £2.25 billion annual cost in public services and lost
productivity.

“It’s about time they addressed those issues instead of shallow
populism that even their own colleagues down south have now rejected.”