Allen condems labour party over minimum pricing of alcohol

Western Isles MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today condemned the Labour party for opposing the Scottish Government’s proposals for setting a minimum price for alcohol.

Dr Allan commented:

“This is a crass and unforgivable move by the Labour party. They have apparently rejected the minimum pricing of alcohol without even waiting to hear the evidence on this Bill.  They have dismissed out of hand the advice of a whole range of experts who are adamant that minimum pricing is one of the most effective ways of dealing with the huge and growing problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland.

“Perhaps my own personal sense of anger is explained by the fact that the NHS Western Isles area currently has the 2^nd highest percentage of alcohol deaths in Scotland.  Indeed the rate is more than twice the UK average.

Yet, on the basis of today’s evidence, Labour seems intent on burying their heads in the sand and continuing to allow all this to go unchecked. Let me say this – it will not be the whisky industry, pubs, clubs or moderate drinkers who will be affected by the SNP government’s radical proposal.  It aims instead to tackle the cheapest brands of drink which are being sold at irresponsibly low prices. Most responsible drinkers will agree that if we continue to sell alcohol for less than water in some places in Scotland we are storing up a massive problem for our country – ones which Labour seem completely unwilling to face up to.”

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