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MPs demand rethink on location for casino
"RIDICULOUS", "insane" and "totally off-piste" – just some of the comments describing Blackpool's snub in the supercasino race.
A groundswell of political opinion is starting to ripple throughout the North West.
Although the region has won the licence, many MPs believe Manchester is the wrong location.
The Gazette's Sign Up For Blackpool campaign continues to grow with thousands now having signed our petition urging MPs to look at Blackpool's case again.
There are just weeks to go before the crucial Commons vote on the matter after last week's shock decision by the Casino Advisory Panel.
Now a Commons
motion calling for a
re-think on the decision to award the licence to Manchester ahead of Blackpool has been signed by three Merseyside MPs, as well as representatives of Warrington and Rossendale.
Manchester MP John Leech has already expressed his reservations about his home city winning the licence.
And today former minister and Birkenhead MP Frank Field said: "'I only supported the Gambling Bill because I thought Blackpool would get it. I didn't think anyone else would get a look-in."
Meanwhile, Lancashire's MPs have added their voices to the growing support for a re-think.
Representatives from throughout the county have spoken of their incredulity at the decision to award the licence to Manchester instead.
Tory MP Nigel Evans, who represents the Ribble Valley, described the move by the CAP as "ridiculous" and "insane."
He said: "I've spoken to many MPs and they are astounded Manchester was selected. It doesn't fit the criteria at all. Manchester has had the Commonwealth Games, investment following the bomb, and soon the BBC is going there, and all of a sudden they get the casino as well."
He added: "The panel is completely off-piste – so much so it is skiing in another country."
Preston's Labour MP Mark Hendrick recalled that as Euro MP for Central Lancashire, he undertook research including visits to the US to see how gambling could help regeneration.
He said: "I think Blackpool has really been short-changed on this because a lot of things would have happened if it had got the casino licence.
"When I was in the US I saw first hand how Atlantic City benefited from investment there. It was family entertainment, not just gambling."
Labour's Lindsay Hoyle, who represents Chorley, said: "I think you will find MPs throughout Lancashire were totally shocked by this decision and people feel angry – that's the feeling at the moment.
"I think people recognise that Blackpool would have benefited from regeneration and would say that it was long overdue for that investment."
Geraldine Smith, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said although she did not agree with gambling as a tool for regeneration, she believed that if it were to be used anywhere in the country, then Blackpool was the best place.
She said: "I think Blackpool would have been the best location, but I'm still pleased it is to be in the North West.
"I think there are other ways of regeneration rather than encouraging people to gamble, but the one place it should have been was Blackpool because it's a destination.
"People would have gone there as a destination rather than gambling all year round."
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said he was not surprised there was so much support for Blackpool.
He said: "It was seen as a bid for the region, so it's not just a question of Blackpool missing out but the region as a whole."
MPs are being urged to show their support for Blackpool's casino bid ahead of a crucial meeting with Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell by signing the
motion expressing "surprise and regret" the Casino Advisory Panel failed to recommend Blackpool for the supercasino
licence.
The Fylde coast's four MPs are due to meet with Mrs Jowell on February 20 and believe that getting as much support as possible for the Early Day Motion (EDM) will strengthen their case.
The EDM also calls for the recommendation to be examined by the same all-party scrutiny committee which considered the draft Gambling Bill.
Meanwhile, the Fylde coast's three Mayors were today also due to publicly voice their support for the Blackpool bid.
shelagh.parkinson@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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