Rumbles: Will SNP throw in the towel on alcohol plans? (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Rumbles: Will SNP throw in the towel on alcohol plans?

March 11, 2009 9:24 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles has warned the Scottish Government that the SNP's alcohol proposals face being voted down unless they bring them to Parliament as part of the Licensing Bill presented to the Justice Committee today. This would be fully scrutinised and subject to a proper parliamentary vote.

Commenting after attending an extended Business Bureau meeting, Mr Rumbles said:

"It is ironic that it is Scottish nationalists that are wilfully disregarding our national parliament and a key national industry.

"I made it absolutely clear that the Government's alcohol strategy faced certain defeat unless they brought these proposals forward properly. They need to let MSPs scrutinise fully and vote on controversial measures like minimum pricing, which could have a devastating impact on the whisky industry.

"It is absolutely clear that if they continue trying to sneak through these measures then the entire package would be dead in the water. The SNP would be throwing in the towel in a fit of pique."

Ends.