Minimum drink price plan will die without Labour backing

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 21:27

THE fate of one of the Scottish Government's last flagship policies was in the balance last night, even though it won a debate on minimum pricing of alcohol.

In the debate, brought forward by the Conservatives yesterday, opponents of the planned measure to tackle alcohol abuse in Scotland claimed that minimum pricing is "all but dead", and later said the measure only survived the vote because Labour "sat on the fence".

With both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats opposed to the policy, the SNP's only hope is for Labour to back it when it comes to parliament in a new alcohol bill.

Yesterday a succession of Labour MSPs said they believed there was not enough evidence to support minimum pricing. However, they said they were open-minded on the issue.

There were also renewed concerns about the legality of the measure, which may breach European Union rules.

Alcohol Focus Scotland, which supports minimum pricing, was quoted as saying: "It is impossible to say that minimum pricing of alcohol would definitely withstand a challenge in the European Court of Justice."

Jackie Baillie, Labour's health spokeswoman, said the Scottish Government needs to publish its legal advice on minimum pricing before it can expect support. Her appointment, replacing Cathy Jamieson ten days ago, who privately advocated minimum pricing, has been seen as a strong indication that Labour will oppose the measure.

Ms Baillie has the Chivas distillery in her Dumbarton constituency, and on her website she voices her opposition to minimum pricing. But yesterday Ms Baillie said no option had been "closed down".

Ms Baillie said: "I want to listen to the views of those with expertise on the matter and, over and above that, I have already arranged to meet with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the Scottish Government's position.

"This is a serious issue that deserves thoughtful consideration and I intend to do it justice."

She was also one of several Labour MSPs, along with former health minister Hugh Henry, to question the evidence supporting minimum pricing.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser MSP said Labour's words revealed that the party was preparing to oppose minimum pricing.

"This debate has been immensely useful in clarifying opinion across the chamber on minimum pricing," he said. "Opposition from the Conservatives and Lib Dems has been bolstered by contributions from the Labour benches highly sceptical of the SNP's policy of blanket minimum pricing."

However, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon continued to push the case for minimum pricing conceding there were "challenges to be overcome" for a minimum price for alcohol to be introduced.