LONDON PARTIES AT ‘SIXES AND SEVENS’ ON MINIMUM PRICING

LONDON PARTIES AT ‘SIXES AND SEVENS’ ON MINIMUM PRICING

YOU CAN’T PLAY POLITICS WITH THE NATIONS HEALTH

Commenting on the remarks by Shadow Tory Health Secretary Andew Lansley on minimum pricing – and the comments by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg who when asked if saw merit in minimum pricing said: “I potentially could, yes” – Michael Matheson MSP said:

“The London parties are at sixes and sevens on minimum pricing. For the Tories, Andrew Lansley seems to be clueless about the reality of the alcohol problem in Scotland. The Lib Dems in Scotland oppose minimum pricing, yet Nick Clegg has signalled his support for it on a flying visit to Edinburgh. And Labour also oppose the policy in Scotland, while Labour MPs in England line up to support it.

“As part of a package of measures – supported by all the health professionals, the police and the licensed trade – the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing serves the interests of public health. It is high time the London parties stopped playing petty politics with such an important issue in Scotland.”