Friday, May 21, 2010

Tesco Chief Executive, Sir Terry Leahy joins growing list of people and organisations supporting SNP Government call for minimum pricing on alcohol













Dear All

I think people know that there is no magic bullet to tackle Scotland’s alcohol culture but a start must be made somewhere.

Supermarket giant Tesco is now supporting the call for a minimum price on alcohol which is proposed by the SNP Government.

Tesco joins the list of people supporting SNP policy; all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the BMA, the police, the pub trade and some alcohol producers.

It is rather surprising as Tesco has always seemed pro Labour in its outlook but times change and the new political reality is Labour is in opposition on both sides of the Scotland/England border.

How serious has the shift been Tesco’s chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, said binge drinking is one of the most serious issues facing the UK?

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said;

"There's growing support for the policy, including from all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the BMA, the police, the pub trade and some influential alcohol producers, as well as Tesco. This coalition demonstrates that our policy has support from a wide range of bodies who are convinced by the overwhelming evidence and weight of opinion in favour of minimum pricing. Crucially Tesco have reached their position after consultation with customers, demonstrating that there is also consumer support for change. Like me, they believe that it's wrong that you can buy alcohol in supermarkets for less than the cost of bottled water."

With the people on board wanting something done about anti social behaviour fuelled by drink it is only the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories who are holding to an untenable position.

If these parties want to be relevant to the Scottish people they really need to join with the SNP Government rather than sitting on the sidelines and sneering.

People want change and it is only the SNP which breaking new ground on this matter.

Nicola Sturgeon added;

"Minimum pricing is not a magic bullet but is a step in the right direction."

It seems the Labour Party opposition et al is rooted firmly in the past.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

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