Alcohol U-turn

Ruth Davidson’s claim that the Scottish Tories U-turn on minimum alcohol pricing was part of a “widespread policy review” by the party in Scotland is patent nonsense (your report, 9 March).

David Cameron last week announced that he wanted to follow the Scottish Government’s lead and introduce such pricing, and then only a matter of days later Scottish leader Ms Davidson did exactly the same. Given that the Scottish Tories were previously looking for minimum pricing to be introduced on a UK-wide basis, Mr Cameron’s announcement gave them no other option.

Mr Cameron’s U-turn was welcome, and it is good to see the Prime Minister stand up to the intense lobbying of the alcohol industry and instead listen to the over-whelming support among police, the medical profession, the churches, all four chief medical officers across the UK, alcohol charities and many more.

As with the smoking ban, England is now following Scotland’s lead on minimum pricing – long overdue, but greatly to be welcomed.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh