A Speyside MP has invited Scottish Labour MPs to attend a whisky tasting at Westminster to discuss what he describes as economically illiterate UK Government tax policies affecting Scotch whisky.
Graham Leadbitter, MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, said he would personally accompany any Scottish Labour MP who accepts the invitation.
The tasting is being held at the House of Commons gift shop in Portcullis House in the run up to Burns Night.
It features the Speaker Hoyle Select Single Malt Scotch Whisky and the Parliamentarian Blended Scotch Whisky.
The Speaker Hoyle Select single malt is produced by Murray McDavid in Mr Leadbitter’s constituency.
Mr Leadbitter said the event offers Labour MPs an opportunity to reflect on the economic and cultural importance of Scotland’s whisky industry.
He said Scotch whisky contributes billions of pounds to the Scottish economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs.
The SNP MP said the invitation was also a challenge to Scottish Labour MPs to hold the Prime Minister to commitments made before the election.
Before the general election, Keir Starmer pledged support for Scotch producers during a visit to a whisky distillery in Scotland.
Mr Leadbitter said that promise has not been honoured since Labour entered government.
He said the Labour Government has increased duty on spirits such as whisky in both budgets since the election.
He added that previous increases in whisky duty under Conservative governments led to a sharp fall in Treasury revenues from the sector.
Graham Leadbitter MP said.
“I can think of no better way to finally get round to Scottish Labour MPs the economic and cultural significance of our whisky industry than by accompanying them to the tasting put on by the Parliament’s gift shop.
“It showcases a fantastic whisky produced in my constituency as well as a blend that perfectly captures why Scotch whisky is the best in the world.
“They can taste for themselves the expertise, craftsmanship, patience, and quality of produce that goes into every bottle of whisky produced in my Speyside constituency.
“And hopefully in appreciating all that goes into our national drink they’ll reflect on and reconsider their support for Labour’s economically illiterate tax hikes that are killing distillers of our water of life.
“Keir Starmer promised to back Scotch producers to the hilt but instead has the industry over a barrel with a punitive tax regime that’s hurting the public purse just as much as it is hard working whisky producers across Scotland.
“And he’s placed it over that barrel with the support of Scottish Labour MPs who’ve put party before country by abandoning their duty to support the crown jewel of Scotland’s exports.
“I hope they’ll take me up on my offer, enjoy a dram, pay careful attention to the impact of their actions, and maybe finally start to hold the Prime Minister to his own promises.”
Mr Leadbitter said his constituency is home to around one third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries.
He said decisions taken at Westminster have direct consequences for communities across Speyside and the wider Highlands.
The MP said whisky policy should be guided by economic evidence rather than political ideology.
He added that continued pressure on distillers risks undermining one of Scotland’s most valuable global industries.
