Introducing pay-on-exit car parks in Perth to boost the local economy was championed by both sides of the political divide but still led to disagreement.
After a meeting with local businesses, SNP MP Pete Wishart said he would like the local authority to consider the option.
His stance drew an icy blast from Conservative rivals, however, who claimed he had appropriated their idea.
Mr Wishart spoke of the benefits after meeting Councillor Jack Coburn, Dougie MacGregor, from Scottish Seasons, and Eddie Anderson, from the Royal George Hotel.
“I have spent the past few weeks speaking to local city centre businesses about the issues that most concern them and almost invariably the issue of parking comes out as the number one concern,” said Mr Wishart.
“Our parking arrangements are crucial in driving city centre trade and allowing access to our many city centre attractions.
“We now need a review of how we provide for our visitors in terms of our parking arrangements.
“What frustrates me most are signs in our car parks which say that visitors can stay for a maximum of three hours. What we need is incentives to stay in our city for a minimum of three hours.
“We want visitors to enjoy a full day experience in our city, shopping in our many fine, independent shops then enjoying the fare in the many first class restaurants without constantly looking at their watch.
The solution must be in more payment-on-exit and an end to time-limited parking.
“I know the council are looking at their arrangements and I want to support them in their endeavours.
“I know that there is to be trial of payment-on-departure in some council car parks and I hope in time this can be rolled out across more council car parks.
“I will now be campaigning hard to try and secure a new look at how we provide for our visitors in the city and will be working closely with businesses and the council to achieve these better parking arrangements.”
Many people have supported the idea of pay-on-exit parking to allow shoppers to linger in the city rather than having to rush back to their cars.
Councillor Mac Roberts, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said his group has been putting forward this proposal at budget time for years.
“If Pete Wishart wishes to introduce pay-on-exit parking, he only has to ask the council’s SNP administration to implement the Scottish Conservatives’ plans,” he said.
Councillor Alexander Stewart, who will take on Mr Wishart in the general election, said: “Pay-on-exit has been, and continues to be, a priority for the Conservatives on Perth and Kinross Council.
“We have asked again and again for the SNP-led administration to introduce this as we believe it would support and assist many local traders and is widely regarded as a sound idea by the public. We haveintroduced parking charge freezes in our budget, which have been accepted by the SNP, but as yet they have chosen not to accept our plans for pay-on -exit.”