DARLING’S FUEL REJECTION PULLS RUG FROM LABOUR IN HIGHLANDS and ISLANDS

DARLING’S FUEL REJECTION PULLS RUG FROM LABOUR IN HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

SNP TO WRITE TO LABOUR SUPPORTERS HIGHLIGHTING BETRAYAL

ONLY SNP CHAMPIONS MEANS FAIR FUEL PRICES

Responding to Chancellor Alistair Darling rejection of the Scottish Government’s call for a derogation to allow lower fuel duty in rural areas, the SNP candidate for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil, said Labour would pay at the polls for rejecting fair fuel prices in the rural Highlands & Islands - whilst supporting it in rural areas of France.

Mr MacNeil also announced that the SNP would be writing to Labour supporters in the Highlands & Islands pointing out this betrayal by the Labour party and highlighting how only by voting for local SNP champions could they send the message that they want action on soaring fuel taxes.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“I am taking nothing for granted in this election campaign but this rejection of fair rural fuel prices by Alistair Darling will cause those in the Highlands and Islands who may have been thinking of voting Labour to think again.

“Just how can he reject calls for lower fuel taxes in the rural Highlands & Islands whilst his government has supported similar it in other European countries like France? It is an outrageous betrayal of their voters in the north of Scotland.

“The SNP will be telling Labour supporters how they have been betrayed by a party leadership that has taken them for granted. Like other voters in the Highlands & Islands they can make Labour and the other London parties pay at the polls for making them pay at the pumps.

"The issue of fair fuel prices for rural areas is also a good example of a Westminster 'No' that may well become a 'Yes' in the event of a balanced Parliament with a strong bloc of SNP local and national champions fighting Scotland's corner."


Dear Voter

LABOUR’S CHANCELLOR BLOCKS FAIR FUEL FOR RURAL HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

I am writing to you to make you aware of an issue that I am sure is very important to you as it is to everyone in the Highlands & islands.

Earlier this year the SNP Government wrote to the Labour Chancellor asking that he consider a scheme where the taxes on fuel in rural areas like the Highlands & Islands could be lowered to reflect the higher costs people have to pay.

On Tuesday 13th April he replied and rejected such a scheme. This is despite the huge percentage he already receives in fuel taxes.

What is most extraordinary is that other countries in the European Union allow such a scheme – Corsica in France for example – but only if every other state in the EU agrees.

We therefore have a situation where the Labour party has supported lower fuel taxes for rural areas in France whilst rejecting them in Scotland!

No doubt you will feel betrayed at this position taken by the Labour party. However there is a means to send a message to Labour that you want fair fuel prices.

It was the SNP who first called for this derogation for rural areas of the Highlands & Islands and it is only the SNP which is proposing a fair fuel regulator which will ensure we no longer have volatile fuel prices. All the London parties have failed to support a fair fuel regulator despite cross-industry support. The LibDems even support higher fuel duty and it was the Tories who introduced the fuel duty escalator in the first place.

If you want fair fuel prices for the Highlands & Islands only a vote for the SNP can send that message. Make the London parties pay at the polls for what you have to pay at the pumps.