Labour MPs have been given a briefing pack by DHSC ahead of this afternoon’s second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. It includes toplines to use like: “Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS. Prevention is better than cure.” Destroy those freedoms for the glorious NHS…
The briefing also contains many suggested interventions for backbench Labour MPs to use to support ministers when they’re up and to attack opposed Tories.
In case co-conspirators thought MPs are intelligent enough to come up with their own questions. Perish the thought…
The briefing also instructs Labour MPs on possible social media posts and lines to use but curiously ignores the one key argument against the smoking ban – that the illicit trade of tobacco will shoot up. According to surveys by the Tobacco Manufacturers Association of 12,000 consumers, 83% of them have recently bought tobacco that was not subject to UK tax – compared to 71% in 2016. That figure will shoot up, and tax revenue down, once the ban is implemented…
Co-conspirators can read the full briefing pack and suggested interventions below. Backbench question bingo could be fun…
Paula Barker, Liverpool Wavertree MP backing Andy Burnham, told Times Radio there wouldn’t be trouble from the markets under Burnham:
“The markets will have to fall in line.”