Budget 2016: Osborne's Sugar Tax Announcement Is Indepdence Referendum 2 In The Bag, Say Scots

"You can take our sugar tax, but you'll never take our Irn-Bru."

But the Chancellor may have also inadvertently irked millions of Scots and precipitated the collapse of the Union by handing Nicola Sturgeon independence on a plate. Well... in a can.

His newly-revealed levy is set to hit Irn-Bru hard. The cult canned-drink will fall into the highest rate of tax, as it contains 9g of sugar.

That thundering noise you hear is the sound of a nation running to stock up on Irn Bru #sugartax #budget2016 pic.twitter.com/Pf7naXP4JP

— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) March 16, 2016

Such is its love among Scots that many believe if the extra cost is passed on to consumers it will have just scuppered Osborne's chance of one day being leader of a United Kingdom that still includes Scotland.

Westminster taxing Irn-Bru? I don't know about you, but that tastes like a second independence referendum to me... pic.twitter.com/qErcBRgf2x

— Angry Salmond (@AngrySalmond) March 16, 2016

Chancellor announces the Irn Bru tax. Independence now.

— Kennyfaetheblock (@Kennyf1283) March 16, 2016

People literally can't handle the thought those little 49p cans could cost more if manufacturers BAG Barr up the cost.

Only a YES vote can free Scotland from this oppressive state-sponsored theft. They may take my #SugarTax but they'll never take my #IrnBru!

— Dave Robertson (@DaveRRobertson) March 16, 2016

Pretty sure #IrnBru tax constitutes a material change in circumstances #indyref2

— Adam Clarke (@AClarke1984) March 16, 2016

Reaction of Irn Bru drinkers to the #sugartax suggests emergence of exciting new Scottish anti-Tory grievance

— Gaby Hinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) March 16, 2016

It's being so badly received that while In 2012 we had the 'Omnishambles' budget, one SNP MP thinks this year's will go down in history as '#IrnBrugate'

#IrnBruGate https://t.co/hv1yMAFnaM

— Gavin Newlands MP (@GavinNewlandsMP) March 16, 2016
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