Sinners Repenting
The new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has moved quickly to distance himself from the political posturing of his predecessor - over a minimum price for alcohol.
In the last parliament, the SNP government tried to introduce such a policy - which enjoyed widespread support across Scottish society - notably from the medical profession and the police.
But for purely opportunist reasons - i.e. because the proposal came from the SNP - the Lib Dems, Labour and the Tories all ganged up - to ensure the SNP government didn't get its way.
So in a triumph of old-fashioned Punch and Judy politics the measure was blocked - to the shame and discredit of the opposition parties involved.
The new SNP government plans to reintroduce the policy - but now that it has an overall majority at Holyrood - the support of other political parties is not required to get legislation through the new parliament.
Yet it would be churlish not to recognise that the Lib Dems have - at long last - come to their senses.
Here's the tune the new Lib Dem leader - Willie Rennie - is singing now:
"Alcohol misuse continues to blight the whole of Scottish society, wrecking individual lives and harming families and communities. I have seen and heard the terrible impact when I am talking to people on doorsteps.
I believe that radical action is needed and will therefore support moves to introduce minimum unit pricing in Scotland.
The UK Government has announced plans to ban below cost selling of alcohol south of the border. This will not apply in Scotland. Instead, the majority SNP Government plans to reintroduce a Minimum Pricing Bill and I will work positively with ministers on this.
There will be no quick fix to Scotland's alcohol problem. Ultimately we must focus on changing Scotland's culture of drinking to excess. This will require broad action across society. Minimum pricing should be part of that action."
Exactly.
But why didn't the Lib Dems say that before the election?
All we need now is a similar admission from the Scottish Labour party and the Tories - then the Parliament can do its job - of working in the best interests of the Scottish people.
In the last parliament, the SNP government tried to introduce such a policy - which enjoyed widespread support across Scottish society - notably from the medical profession and the police.
But for purely opportunist reasons - i.e. because the proposal came from the SNP - the Lib Dems, Labour and the Tories all ganged up - to ensure the SNP government didn't get its way.
So in a triumph of old-fashioned Punch and Judy politics the measure was blocked - to the shame and discredit of the opposition parties involved.
The new SNP government plans to reintroduce the policy - but now that it has an overall majority at Holyrood - the support of other political parties is not required to get legislation through the new parliament.
Yet it would be churlish not to recognise that the Lib Dems have - at long last - come to their senses.
Here's the tune the new Lib Dem leader - Willie Rennie - is singing now:
"Alcohol misuse continues to blight the whole of Scottish society, wrecking individual lives and harming families and communities. I have seen and heard the terrible impact when I am talking to people on doorsteps.
I believe that radical action is needed and will therefore support moves to introduce minimum unit pricing in Scotland.
The UK Government has announced plans to ban below cost selling of alcohol south of the border. This will not apply in Scotland. Instead, the majority SNP Government plans to reintroduce a Minimum Pricing Bill and I will work positively with ministers on this.
There will be no quick fix to Scotland's alcohol problem. Ultimately we must focus on changing Scotland's culture of drinking to excess. This will require broad action across society. Minimum pricing should be part of that action."
Exactly.
But why didn't the Lib Dems say that before the election?
All we need now is a similar admission from the Scottish Labour party and the Tories - then the Parliament can do its job - of working in the best interests of the Scottish people.
