UNIVERSITY OF Edinburgh students and opposition politicians successfully put a halt to the SNP’s plans to increase the drinking age for off-sales alcohol after joining forces outside the Scottish Parliament last Thursday.

The protest saw a collection of young people and MSPs gathering outside the Parliament to display their opposition to the proposals. Over 100 students joined forces with MSPs from several parties chanting “citizen, not criminal”.

UNIVERSITY OF Edinburgh students and opposition politicians successfully put a halt to the SNP’s plans to increase the drinking age for off-sales alcohol after joining forces outside the Scottish Parliament last Thursday.

The protest saw a collection of young people and MSPs gathering outside the Parliament to display their opposition to the proposals. Over 100 students joined forces with MSPs from several parties chanting “citizen, not criminal”.

The SNP launched their controversial approach to tackling alcohol misuse and alcohol-related crime by getting tough on the 18-21 year-olds who they believe to be at the heart of the problem.

The Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill supported the policy stating that “we can no longer sit back and let alcohol misuse continue to take its shocking toll on our criminal justice system, health service and economy.”

The SNP remained defiant over the issue, claiming alcohol misuse costs Scotland’s taxpayers £2.25 billion each year.

This policy united students, young people and opposition parties against the plans. Mike Pringle, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South, said: “these proposals are a reactionary and misguided move by the SNP Government, designed to appear tough rather than solve the problem.”

He continued: “surely Scotland should not become a place where at age 18 you can bravely fight for your country, or vote in an election, but are not trusted to buy a bottle of wine to enjoy with friends over an evening meal or a couple of beers to watch the match with?”

Pringle’s stance was reflected in the parliamentary vote, in which 72 MSPs voted against the motion on Thursday evening, defeating the SNP’s 47 votes.

The plans have been effectively scuppered with little chance of them resurfacing during this legislative session.

Tom French, former EUSA sabbatical and co-ordinator of the Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland (CARDAS), submitted a 10,000 signature petition against the policy and led the protest at the Scottish Parliament. He labelled the SNP’s proposals as ‘daft and discriminatory’ and said the proposal is “a gimmick to make the SNP appear tough on crime and order.”

French later congratulated everyone who participated in the CARDAS campaign after the results from the debate were announced. Addressing supporters in a Facebook message, he stated that “We’ve won an overwhelming victory and it is down to each and every one of you. Thank you.”