Starmer doubles down on pledge to ‘defend’ Scotch
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer says he will “fight tooth and nail” to protect Scotch whisky as tariffs from the US loom.
While speaking to press at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, Scotland last week, Starmer was pushed on whether he would raise the topic of ‘crippling’ tariffs with US president Donald Trump when he meets with him on Thursday (27 February).
Addressing the prime minister, one journalist asked: “In 14 months, Scotch whisky is going to be hit with 25% US tariffs, unless Donald Trump stops them. Will you raise that with him when you see him next week?”
Starmer responded: “On Scotch, Scottish whisky, it is really important that we are supportive, and I will be – I’ve given my word on that – in everything.
“It is such an important part of the economy here, it’s such an important part of what is Scotland – and therefore we will fight tooth and nail on that issue.”
This is the second time the prime minister has promised to back the Scotch whisky sector.
During the general election campaign trail last summer, Starmer said whisky was to be “knocked back, not down”, and promised that he would back the Scotch sector “to the hilt”, should he be given the opportunity to lead the UK government.
Three months after coming into power, his government announced spirits duty would rise again in line with inflation from this month, a move that was labelled a “kick in the teeth to distillers”.
Starmer also faced questions about last week’s publication of a proposal for a geographical indication (GI) for English whisky, which was met with outcries from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
The SWA branded the proposal “entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky” and warned that, if the proposed GI is approved, it could be “very damaging” to Scotch whisky’s reputation.
When questioned about about his government considering the ‘controversial’ definition of English single malt whisky, the Labour leader pledged to “absolutely” defend Scotch whisky.
He said: “In relation to the English element here, look, there’s a consultation going on. It’s a consultation that has to happen under the operation of the legal framework that we’re under – but my commitment is, as I say, absolutely to defend Scottish whisky.”
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