SNP focus on fuel prices

“Sky high fuel taxes”

The SNP has 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 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

“Essential to Scotland”

“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

” Driving down prices”

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.”

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