AN SNP MSP demanded Theresa May’s government act to prevent the Toblerone bars getting smaller.
Colin Beattie tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament to note “concern” over news the iconic Swiss sweet’s manufacturer, Mondelez International, were to widen the gap between the hard nougat and chocolate mountains. He also offered “condolences to those mourning this change to the bar” before calling “on the UK Government to take speedy action to rectify the change”.
The Midlothian MSP came in for some pelters from parliamentary colleagues and rivals, but insisted his motion was about the rising cost of food caused by the UK leaving the EU, saying the lighter Toblerone was “emblematic of the devastating consequences Brexit could bring”.
However, a spokeswoman for Toblerone insisted Brexit had nothing to do with the shrinking chocolate triangles.
The company’s decision to reduce the smaller 170g bar sold in Poundland and other discount shops, to 150g caused fury across the UK when it was announced last week.
But yesterday’s Holyrood motion, which, at the time of writing was backed by four SNP MSPs, saw the row go global, with international news outlets picking up on Beattie’s motion.
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser offered to buy Beattie biscuits: “It appears the SNP’s quest to find grievance in all things has now entered the confectionery stall. What a joke.
“However, given the grief Mr Beattie is suffering over the scaling-down of Toblerone, the Scottish Conservatives pledge today to buy him some good Scots chocolate, like a pack of Tunnock’s tea cakes which – regardless of Brexit – remain as delicious and substantial as always.”
A Labour source told the Press Association: “This took us by surprise – the SNP’s whole mission is greater separation.
“Even the most sweet-toothed of Scottish taxpayers must be wondering if this is the best use of parliamentary time.”
Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles went all out, saying: “Toblerone won’t be the only chocolate bar that will change as companies crunch the numbers. The Tories’ Brexit fudge means we must have a referendum on the final terms of our exit.
“We all know Brexit won’t be a picnic but Mr Beattie should realise the SNP’s attempt to introduce a double decker of uncertainty through another breakaway will only make the situation worse.”
A spokeswoman for Toblerone said the change in bar was down to a increase in production costs in Switzerland.
“As the last week has shown, Toblerone is an iconic brand that has a lot of fans around the world, and we’ve heard their feedback on the new 150g UK bar. This new bar, which was reduced from 170g, is only available in the UK and predominantly sold at discount retailers. While we retained the length of the bar, we increased the gaps between the iconic triangles.”
She added: “It’s important to note this change is not due to Brexit, but a result of several factors. This includes higher commodity costs that have been a challenge across the industry for some time. The significant drop of the Euro compared to the Swiss Franc that occurred in early 2015 also led to a considerable production cost increase in Switzerland. Toblerone is exclusively produced in Berne, Switzerland, and exported to more than 120 countries.”
Beattie did not respond to requests for a comment, though he previously told the New Statesman: “My whole life has been spent with with the certainty of Toblerone bars – now it is gone. It is devastating.”
The Scottish Parliament say the total cost of a motion being tabled is £5-6, equivalent to the amount needed to buy two 360g Toblerone bars in Asda.
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