Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has warned that SNP plans to impose a cap on the price of staple foods could lead to reduced supplies in shops across Scotland. The Conservative MP raised concerns while campaigning in Edinburgh on Friday, arguing that government intervention in markets might result in “some form of rationing, undersupply”.
Cost of living dominates Holyrood election campaign
The cost of living has been a central issue in the run-up to Thursday’s Holyrood election. Scottish First Minister John Swinney has promoted the SNP’s food price cap policy as part of a package of measures designed to help households struggling with rising expenses. However, Sir Mel, who joined Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay on the campaign trail, said the First Minister should instead focus on boosting the country’s economy.
“The way the SNP should be approaching things is making Scottish people better off so they can afford those items, that means having an economy that is growing,” Sir Mel told journalists. He criticised the SNP’s approach as “lamentable”, pointing to higher welfare spending in Scotland alongside higher income tax rates for higher earners.
Economic growth versus price controls
Sir Mel argued that artificially reducing prices would diminish the incentive to produce goods, leading to lower supply. He stressed: “If you artificially reduce the price of something it is a basic economic fact you will get a lower supply of that item. The right way to address issues of people struggling to afford things is to create a wealthier, faster growing economy.” He added that the SNP’s tax and welfare policies have not been good for the Scottish economy.
The shadow chancellor also raised concerns about SNP demands for a second independence referendum if the party wins an overall majority on Thursday. He said this would create “more uncertainty” for businesses and the economy, calling it a “sideshow and a major distraction”.
Conservative warning on referendum
Mr Findlay echoed these concerns, warning that a second referendum would see Scotland “plunged yet again into fresh constitutional turmoil”. He urged voters to use the peach-coloured ballot paper to stop the SNP from securing a majority, as they did in 2021. “If you want to stop that SNP majority the best way to do so, the secret weapon people have across Scotland, is the peach-coloured ballot paper,” he said.
