I don't have a high opinion of the domestic governing record of the SNP (think ferries and drugs), but their latest election gimmick has all the hallmarks of the daft ideas department.
They are proposing price caps on staple grocery items. However, if retailers can't make a margin on these items, they may simply stop stocking them. Getting supplies to remote highlands and islands locations is already a challenge (Lidl are popular on Orkney because they adhere to 'one Scotland price' despite the additional transport costs).
Of course, what they are really hoping for is a confrontation on this issue with Westminster to boost their campaign for a new independence referendum.
Most people have probably forgotten the 'red triangle' scheme devised by Shirley Williams as Labour prices secretary in the 1970s. This attempted to control key grocery prices. I have copied extensive records from the National Archives about it, but have never found the time to write it up.
It all bordered on farce with one 'Sir Humphrey' reporting on how the scheme was going down in Blackheath! (A relatively prosperous London suburb much favoured by bureaucrats).
No comments:
Post a Comment