Gordon Banks slates Nationalist ‘Prophet of Doom

19 March 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks has responded to criticisms levelled at the UK Government after alcohol duty was raised in this year’s budget.

Mr Banks said – “Tax increases are always difficult, no-one disputes that. However, what the SNP fail to recognise is that this is the first rise in Whisky duty for 10 years.”

“This comes at a time when the Whisky Industry is buoyant and is seeing significant growth and demand from overseas markets.”

“It’s interesting to see the failed SNP candidate from 2005 has reared her head again and what a shame she operates with double standards. Whilst she holds me personally responsible for this year’s increase in Whisky duty, I don’t remember her offering me congratulations in the two previous budgets during my time as her MP when the duty was frozen.”

“The Government has made it clear that the increase in alcohol revenue will play a part in ensuring that we lift a further 250,000 children out of poverty by increasing child benefit and child tax credits, as well as providing further support to pensioners via increases to the Winter Fuel Allowance.”

“Are the SNP opposed to these new measures? She should then tell that to the 600,000 families and 750,000 pensioner households in Scotland who will benefit.

“She also fails to grasp the employment picture in Ochil & South Perthshire, where unemployment has fallen from 3.1% in February 2007 to 2.5% in February 2008. What Scotland needs is not outdated nationalistic patriotism, it needs politicians and a Government that stand up for the real needs of Scotland today – economic stability, growing employment and a future as an active member of the United Kingdom.”

“The SNP must learn that policies have to be paid for. We cannot tolerate outbursts such as this emanating from a party which has displayed a level of primary school arithmetic in the publication of proposals such as their local income tax plan. Government is about planned and costed policies not cheap manifesto pledges designed to grab a vote then be kicked into the long grass.