TORIES SHOULD U-TURN ON MORE OF THEIR POLICIES
Following the Tories’ “Damascene conversion” to support free prescriptions, which they previously opposed, Kenneth Gibson has called on them to drop more of their punitive policies which are harming families across Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The SNP’s flagship free prescriptions policy has been an overwhelming success and is one of the reasons that people continue to put their trust in the SNP after 10 years in Government.
"It's the SNP that delivered free prescriptions and it's the SNP that will continue to do so.
"Ruth Davidson used to describe free prescriptions as a 'publicly funded bribe' - but this Damascene conversion shows that even the Tories can reluctantly recognise that it is the SNP that pursues the right policies for Scotland.
"Labour, too, are trying to mimic the success of the SNP, with the leaked manifesto lifting our policies on free tuition - It was Labour that introduced tuition fees - ending hospital parking charges, honouring NHS pay reviews, abolishing the Bedroom Tax and increasing renewable energy.
"While the British Red Cross has said that the Tories preside over a humanitarian crisis in the NHS in England, Scotland has the best performing health service in the UK.
"If the Tories want to ditch their Nasty Party image, they should be u-turning on their indefensible policies such as the Bedroom tax, the rape clause and cuts to disability benefits.
"Now more than ever it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland to protect Scotland's schools, hospitals and pensions from unnecessary Tory cuts.”
Calculations show that people in Scotland are saving up to £160 a year on average on their medication when compared with patients in England due to the free prescription policy.
ENDS
Notes:
Jackson Carlaw MSP, Tory Health Spokesperson at Holyrood:
“With universal free prescription, it is now clear the SNP has set in motion a dangerous trend, and one that could really hamper Scotland’s finances in the future.” (25/6/2013)
