UKIP in U-turn as party votes for EU rules
Posted, May 23, 2007 @ 00:00
Conservative MEP says booze duties are for Britain alone, while socialists and UKIP vote for EU power
Strasbourg, 23 May 2007 -- UKIP members, whose core message is to say no to the European Union, voted to keep EU rules in today's vote on minimum rates of excise duty on booze at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Conservatives want less European regulation and bureaucracy and the minimum rates law, which is superfluous red tape, should be abolished, said Conservative MEP John Purvis. But the Lulling report, calling for such change, was narrowly defeated this afternoon by socialists and UKIP.
Scotch whisky and beer drinkers lose out to wine buffs because of the so-called 'minimum excise duties on alcoholic beverages'. The duties (approx 4p a pint and £1 per bottle of whisky) are supported by Gordon Brown because they attempt to force countries with low rates of excise duty to increase them closer to rates in high tax countries such as the UK so as to reduce incentives to bring booze home under single market rules.
Mr Purvis said: "Minimum rates don't apply to wine because of French lobbying, but they do apply to beer and spirits. This is especially unfair to Scotch Whisky drinkers who pay the highest minimum rates.
"Conservatives want tax competition and free movement of goods. These excise duty rates are out of date, serve no useful purpose and should be abolished."