SNP FOCUS ON FUEL PRICES

SNP FOCUS ON FUEL PRICES

ONLY SNP MPS WILL CHAMPION STABLE FUEL PRICES

The SNP has today (Saturday) launched the latest strand of its election
campaign with a call for lower fuel prices across Scotland.

Candidates across the country will be distributing over 60,000 campaign
postcards in the next few days urging voters who want to drive down
Scottish fuel prices to Elect a Local Champion.

The card (attached) sets out how SNP MPs will champion a freeze in fuel
duty and the introduction of a road fuel regulator. SNP MP and Transport
Spokesman Angus MacNeil will highlight the importance of stabilizing fuel
prices at SNP conference this afternoon.

Commenting, Mr MacNeil who is also the SNP's Transport Spokesperson, said:

“Sky high fuel taxes imposed by Gordon Brown, and latterly Alistair
Darling, are indiscriminate and effectively a poll tax on wheels.

"Rocketing prices are disastrous for the rural economy where a car is not
a luxury - it's a necessity.

"Here in Aviemore, prices at already edging above £1.20 while in my own
Western Isles constituency a litre of fuel is over £1.25. Filling up a
family car now costs the best part of £100.

“The effects of sky high fuel taxes also impact on prices in the stores
with costs rising to deliver food and other products to the shops.

“Traditional metropolitan politicians simply do not understand the impact
rising fuel prices are having on families and businesses across Scotland.
That’s why at this election, if the people of Scotland want to drive down
fuel prices, instead of electing a traditional politican they must elect a
local champion."

SNP Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
Cllr John Finnie who will second the resolution added:

"While the London parties are engaged in a phoney war, the SNP are
championing causes which matter to the people of Scotland. That's why SNP
MPs have proposed a measure which will stabilise fuel prices.

"Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have failed to tackle rising
fuel prices at successive Budgets but they can make amends by supporting
the SNP’s call for a fuel duty regulator at the Budget next week.

“I know the impact rising fuel prices are having in this constituency and
across the country. Driving down prices is essential to Scotland, to
Scotland’s economy and to Scotland’s families."


FUEL PRICES

Conference notes with concern the rising fuel prices across Scotland and the
pressure soaring fuel prices are putting not just on family budgets but on
businesses during the recession. Is concerned that while the AA is warning
fuel could reach over £1.20 per litre in many parts of Scotland this is
already a reality.

Conference calls on the UK Government to freeze fuel duty in the coming
budget and to introduce a road fuel regulator to stabilise fuel prices.

Conference commits SNP MPs to fight for a fair deal on fuel prices and
notes that with the election of a strong team of local and national
champions in Westminster the SNP can win a fair deal on fuel prices for
Scotland

2. Explanation of fuel duty regulator

The SNP's regulator mechanism is designed to guarantee a double protection
for motorists and the road haulage industry. Firstly, higher oil prices
would trigger an automatic freeze in fuel duty rates. Second, any extra
cash raised from VAT on petrol or diesel as a result of the higher pump
prices would go back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty.