A savage attack on meddling Europe... but from the First Minister and NOT the Tories
SHE is a passionate defender of the EU.
But today, Nicola Sturgeon will echo David Cameron by launching a blistering attack on the European Court.
She will use a key speech in Brussels to demand that the EU allows the Scottish parliament to press ahead with minimum alcohol pricing.
The policy has been held up for years, with judges in Luxembourg currently deliberating on whether it is lawful.
At the European Policy Centre, Miss Sturgeon will insist member states are given greater autonomy – despite repeatedly criticising the Prime Minister’s push for EU reform ahead of an In/Out referendum.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘It’s ironic Nicola Sturgeon has finally woken up to the fact that the EU is a barrier to local decision-making.
‘ This j ust demonstrates that David Cameron is absolutely right to seek to return powers to member states. He now has an unexpected ally in Nicola Sturgeon.’
The Prime Minister has been on a charm offensive tour from Paris to Berlin, trying to drum up support for a better deal for the UK – including restrictions on immigration, which Miss Sturgeon does not sup- port – to put to the British people. In her first EU address since becoming First Minister, Miss Sturgeon will say: ‘Some years ago, the Scottish parliament voted to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol, to tackle alcohol harm in our society. Our ability to do that has been challenged and is currently being considered by Scottish courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
‘We know from their support for our case that many other member states support us. My view is that the Commission and EU policy should recognise that. They should give a higher priority to enabling member states to take the decisions they deem necessary to protect life and promote health.’
Ireland, Sweden and the UK are understood to back minimum pricing, along with Norway, which, though not in the EU, is a member of the European Economic Area.
MSPs passed minimum pricing legislation in 2012, but it was not implemented due to a legal challenge by the Scotch Whisky Asso- ciation (SWA). A hearing was held at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg last month and a verdict is expected later in the year.
The SWA claims the legislation is incompatible with EU law.
Miss Sturgeon’s appearance in Brussels follows criticism of her refusal to share a platform with senior Tories, even if they were also arguing to stay in the EU. The Prime Minister has already rejected her demands for a veto if Scotland votes to stay in the EU but the UK as a whole decides to leave.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘People will want the SNP to show maturity and do everything in their position of government to ensure the UK remains in the EU. Nicola Sturgeon’s talk of a veto and a refusal to work with some political parties is disappointing because it is a distraction from the fundamental premise of this debate – do we want Britain to lead the EU or leave it?’
Scottish Tory constitution spokesman Annabel Goldie said: ‘If the First Minister is serious about achieving real EU reform, she would back David Cameron’s efforts to have powers returned to Westminster and Holyrood, instead of sniping from the sidelines.
‘Nicola Sturgeon’s speech only serves to highlight the contradictions in the SNP’s policies in relation to the UK and the EU.
‘Whatever the cost, she wants to end our Union with the United Kingdom. Yet, whatever the cost, it appears she wants to keep our union with the European Union.
‘If that isn’t illogical enough, the SNP is also still of the view that, in its parallel universe, an independent Scotland would keep the British pound and reject the euro.
‘The only way it is possible to maintain both these positions is if you accept that the laws of political reality stop at the Border.’
‘Mr Cameron has an unexpected ally’