Drink-price crackdown may depend on Labour MSP rebels

Published on Tuesday 17 March 2009 21:04

CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce minimum prices for alcohol depend on the result of an internal struggle among Labour MSPs.

The Scotsman has learned that some of them might be prepared to support the SNP's flagship proposal.

That is despite Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, coming out against advice from his chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, to introduce minimum pricing south of the Border.

In Scotland, with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in Holyrood opposing the measure, Labour's support is vital.

The picture was further complicated yesterday, when the Law Society for Scotland warned that minimum pricing might break European competition law and be reserved to Westminster.

Senior Labour figures made it clear that any support would be conditional on legal issues being addressed.

Richard Baker, the party's justice spokesman, added it would also require the Scottish Government to introduce "proper", full-scale legislation – where the issue would be fully debated – instead of trying to use devolved regulations.

But there is believed to be a split within his own group, with Andy Kerr, the former health minister, leading opposition to minimum pricing. Other senior figures support it.

"There are discussions taking place within the group," said Mr Baker. "However, we still need to see proper detail from the Scottish Government before we can make a decision.

"But if that doesn't come forward, we realise that we are going to have to look at some radical policies ourselves."

Labour was not the only party to be divided on the issue. Yesterday, further evidence of Lib Dem splits emerged.

The Scottish party opposes minimum pricing because of concerns for the whisky industry. But the UK party's home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, backed it and attacked other parties for their "crassly irresponsible" opposition.