Tory hopeful Carlaw backs drink pricing plan

A LEADING Tory who opposed the SNP’s minimum alcohol pricing plan last year has said politicians should now respect the “clear view” of the public and back the policy.

Jackson Carlaw, who is contesting the leadership of the party, voted last year to reject minimum pricing, but yesterday conceded that the plan to set a price per unit has the support of police, doctors and the public.

However, the SNP no longer needs opposition-party support to pass laws after securing a majority at the Holyrood election in May.

Mr Carlaw’s comments were made in a debate on the Scottish Government’s legislative programme, which includes a fresh attempt to set a minimum price.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon previously set the price at 45p and offered a “sunset clause” that would have offered a way out if the policy was found not to work as intended. The new bill will not necessarily have the same price or sunset clause.

Mr Carlaw said: “I believe we should respect the united and clear view of the health community, the police and wider Scottish public, and back the government’s policy with two clear conditions.

“Firstly, that the bill contains the sunset clause previously offered by Nicola Sturgeon, and secondly that the government work with alcohol retailers to ensure that the windfall profits arising are exclusively absorbed, but that we take the opportunity to secure new voluntary funding – and I emphasise the need for voluntary agreement – to secure vital new funding for abstinence programmes.”

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, who also voted against the policy last year, said her party would “engage in the process”.

New Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie announced in June that his party would no longer oppose the plan.