First Minister fails to back Car Park Tax in her own constituency

The First Minister has refused to back the Car Park Tax in her own Govan constituency despite her support for it at Holyrood.

When asked by Jackson Carlaw, interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, during First Ministers questions at Holyrood today, the First Minister declined to support the imposition of the Car Park Tax in her constituency.

Yesterday, every single Scottish Conservative council group leader said they will not support a Car Park Tax in their area.

And every single Scottish Conservative MSP will oppose the Car Park Tax in their constituency or region.

In contrast, the SNP will impose the Car Park Tax across Scotland and yet the First Minister doesn’t even support it in her own constituency.

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative interim leader said;

“Nicola Sturgeon is twisting all over the place on the SNP’s Car Park Tax. On the one hand, she is pushing it into law, on the other she won’t support it being introduced in her own constituency.  

“What kind of government introduces a tax that it doesn’t have the courage to back?

“The case for this tax in Scotland is falling apart. If Glasgow and Edinburgh introduce the Car Park tax, as proposed, thousands of commuters who live outside the city boundaries will be hammered, having had no say over that decision.

“That’s not a good example of local decision making – it’s fundamentally anti-democratic.

“People doing the right thing, going to work, juggling drop offs for their children, or doing shift work at anti-social hours, when there are very few public transport options available, don’t deserve to be punished.

“And businesses, care homes and retailers don’t need yet another burden imposed upon them. The SNP must dump their Car Park Tax now.”

SNP budget fails Scotland

The Scottish Conservatives have voted against the SNP’s budget, as it will widen the tax gap with the rest of the United Kingdom, impose a Car Park Tax, increase council taxes and reduce local government budgets.

The budget passed with the support of the Greens and the SNP.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary said:

“Both the Finance Secretary and the First Minister told opposition parties throughout the budget process that every penny in their budget had been accounted for.

“And yet we now know that SNP knew about additional UK money six days prior to the debate in this Parliament: money amounting to an additional £148m.

“This is a budget that unnecessarily slashes local government, increases council taxes, widens the tax gap with the rest of the UK and penalises workers via the Car Park Tax.

“This is a budget that fails to revitalise Scotland’s economy which would sustainably increase tax revenues and support public services.

“The Scottish Conservatives reject this omnishambles budget which forces hardworking families to pay more and get less.”