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Just one casino pledges Jowell TESSA Jowell has poured cold water on Tony Blair and Blackpool’s hopes of a brace of supercasinos by stating there will only be ONE. Despite the Prime Minister coming out and saying he felt that, if there was the money, Las Vegas-style gambling meccas should be built in both Blackpool and Manchester, his Culture Secretary disagrees. Mrs Jowell denied there was confusion about the gambling policy after being quizzed in the House of Commons. She told MPs: “We will return in due course and inform the House of our proposals.” She added: “I’ve made the Government’s position clear – consistent with our policy of public protection, there’ll be one regio-nal casino during this Parliament. No others will be considered until that experience has been evaluated properly. There is no mess or confusion, except what is due to the unsuccessful attempts of the opposition.” Mr Blair told Parliament he could see no reason why both Blackpool and Manchester should not get a supercasino if there was investment. And Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said Blackpool would not be giving up. She said: “I’m concerned we don’t seem to be moving forward despite the very public comments by the Prime Minister that he sees no reason why we shouldn’t move ahead with Blackpool’s casino.” Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden, said: “This simply confirms the Government has still not made any decisions about how to take the supercasino forward. I hope Tessa Jowell will listen to those voices across the country that say Professor Crow’s analysis was flawed.” During this week’s exchange in the Commons, shadow culture secretaryAnne Milton accused the Cabinet of being divided over what to do after the Lords voted down the order to bring in the new massive gambling complexes as well as 16 smaller casinos. Last week, in an exclusive interview with The Gazette, Tory leader David Cameron said his party would not support a move towards two supercasinos, but he did want the decision to award the first licence to Manchester to be reviewed. Manchester was selected as the preferred option of the Government’s Casino Advisory Panel in January. Cameron says no to two casinos Tory leader David Cameron has told The Gazette he would not support two supercasino licences being handed out. Speculation has been rife the Government could propose giving licences to both Manchester and Blackpool in order to break the stalemate on getting its new gambling legislation through.It follows a statement by Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons that if the investment was there, both casinos should be built. But Mr Cameron said his party’s stance remained there should only be one licence. He told The Gazette: “The process for examining where it should go was flawed and it should be reviewed, and it should consider issues such as the appropriateness of a destination casino which Blackpool would be. We think there should be one to start with, but subject to a proper review. Tony Blair is making it up as he goes along.” But Mr Cameron, who was in Blackpool to speak at the Police Federation Conference at the Winter Gardens, said he was committed to reinvigorating Britain’s seaside towns. He said: “I think it’s really important to get it right when it comes to what is happening in our seaside towns. We want them to be as successful in the 21st century as they were in the 20th century.” Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said it was disappointing Mr Cameron refused to be flexible over the supercasino. He said: “I think it’s disappointing at the moment he’s not displaying the flexibility his own colleagues on Blackpool Council have urged on him. But there are lots of alternatives being looked at and the situation is still fluid.” He said getting secondary legislation through Parliament to change the bill would not necessarily depend on Tory support. Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow said that although he was also disappointed with Mr Cameron’s comments, he had written to the leader setting out how critical the casino was to the resort. His letter states: “If this could be ‘rescued’ under a new Conservative administration locally, with the support of the party nationally that Blackpool has consistently had, it would be a fantastic coup for us.” The government originally wanted eight supercasinos, but was forced to reduce the number to one by the Tories in order to get the Gambling Act through Parliament. The order paper confirming the new licences was rejected by three votes in the House of Lords in March following a campaign in support of Blackpool’s bid which included a petition signed by 11,500 Gazette readers. Casino on fast track to reality A Blackpool super casino could be pushed through Parliament “relatively speedily” it was claimed today. It follows a statement by Tony Blair in Parliament last week that “if the investment is there and able to be done, let’s do both of them”, which sparked hope that Blackpool’s bid could be back in the frame. He said: “It may be that before long we are completely back in the casino game. An offer has been made to get a committee of MPs together under the chairmanship of John Greenway, who chaired the original committee which scrutinised the draft Gambling Bill.” Government insiders are also said to have hinted at emerging plans which will result in proposals for two super casinos being put before MPs within weeks. But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport would today only say “ministers will be making an announcement shortly as to what they intend the next steps to be” following the blocking of the order for 17 casinos by the House of Lords in March. The Government defeat in March came after more than 11,500 Gazette readers signed a petition calling for ministers to review the Casino Advisory Panel’s choice of Manchester. Gambling minister Richard Caborn has also been unable to shed any light on what his department’s plans are. He said: “We’ve not got a position on it at present. We want the 17 casinos determined by the Casino Advisory Panel. The Lords decided not to accept the recommendations and we are still considering what the next step will be. This is not just about the super casinos, but the whole question of gambling. We just have to go back and see what we can do.” Asked if he thought Manchester would eventually get Britain’s first super-casino he, said: “I have not got a guess, honestly.” Secondary legislation, backed by the Conservatives, would be required to allow two licences. Mr Marsden said: “We’re continuing to discuss and investigate what the possibilities are for bringing Blackpool’s bid back into the frame. “Obviously a committee that looked again at the CAP report in the way the House of Lords recommendations said it should could be worthwhile. But the option of having two supercasinos named on the order in terms of Manchester and Blackpool would have the benefit of being done relatively speedily. Then if, and it’s a big if, that went through, we would be at the starting gate at the same time as Manchester.” Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said: “We have had very public statements of support from the Prime Minister and we should try to capitalise on that to encourage Tessa Jowell and to review her position because she does have the power to increase the number. It may be the simplest solution if we can argue for two casinos.” Blair for Sign up As Tony Blair announced his departure as Prime Minister, hopes were high he could give Blackpool a farewell gift – its supercasino. Yesterday, the PM shocked Parliament by saying he could see no reason why both the resort and Manchester could not be given Las Vegas-style gambling complexes. “If the investment is there and able to be done let’s do both of them,’’ he said. It was the strongest indication yet the Government could bow to mounting pro-Blackpool pressure. Mr Blair confirmed to Cabinet colleagues when he will leave office, before heading to his constituency of Sedgefield. His spokesman said Mr Blair would be “focused” on being Prime Minister until Labour has chosen a successor, in a process expected to last seven weeks. Those close to him say he will be keen to tie-up as many loose ends as possible before handing over power, more-than-likely to Chancellor Gordon Brown. Backers of Blackpool’s bid hope this will include the granting of the UK’s first supercasino licence. The Government is currently reviewing its next move on licensing the one-and-only supercasino, together with 16 other small and large casinos. But Mr Blair, who was responding to Manchester MP Graham Stringer during Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday, said the government hopes to bring forward proposals “very shortly’’ to “introduce regional casinos”. He told the House of Commons: “Personally I have never seen the reason why we should have Blackpool and Manchester pitted against each other. If the investment is there and able to be done let’s do both of them." Mr Blair continued: “I think it is extraordinary that you have got a situation where as a result of what the Conservatives have done they put in jeopardy the casino in Manchester and they go around the streets of Blackpool telling people that they support a casino there. Whereas if we had had our way originally without their intervention we would have been able to do both." The Government had wanted to hand out eight supercasino licences, but was pegged back to just one by the Tories in order to get the Gambling Act through prior to the 2005 General Election. Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said he felt if the Tories altered their position there would be wide-spread support for two licences, including one to Blackpool, being granted. The Government could use secondary legislation to vary the 2005 Gambling Act so two licences could be awarded. Mr Marsden said: “It’s very encouraging the Government seems to be considering the possibility of a supercasino for Blackpool now. There is obviously a lot more to be discussed before we can be sure of this, but I think it’s a reflection of the determined campaign which all of us, including Joan Humble and myself, the council and The Gazette, have been leading.” Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said: “I welcome the response the PM has given. It reinforces the positive message that he gave me from a question I asked him a couple of weeks ago and is a signal that there is still everything to play for. It will be important that both Gordon and I discuss how best the Government should proceed with the casino decision. Now that the local elections are out of the way we can focus more attention on the casino debate and argue the best case possible for Blackpool.” The failure to be recommended for the supercasino licence is seen as a major reason why Labour lost control of Blackpool Council to the Tories at last week’s local elections. New Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow said he believed that if the Government proposed varying the Gambling Act, to allow a second coveted licence to be given to Blackpool, the move would be backed by the Conservatives. blair's sympathy for casino bid Supporters of Blackpool’s supercasino bid say they are “heartened” after Tony Blair reiterated his sympathy for the resort’s case. The Prime Minister has personally written to The Gazette following the Lords’ vote which halted the Government’s plans to award the UK’s first Las Vegas-style gaming licence to Manchester. In his letter to Gazette Editor David Helliwell, Mr Blair said: “I am writing to thank you and everyone who signed the petition in support of Blackpool’s application to be the area where the new regional casino, permitted by the Gambling Act 2005, should be located. I do understand the strength of feeling in Blackpool and the very real disappointment that the Casino Advisory Panel’s decision not to recommend Blackpool for the regional casino has caused." “There was intense competition for the 17 new casinos permitted by the Gambling Act. In view of the high level of interest in the new casinos it was inevitable that some areas would be disappointed in the outcome, but that should not detract from the fair and open manner in which the panel conducted the competition over 16 months.” Earlier this month in response to a question by Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble, Mr Blair told Parliament he thought it was “a pity” the licence had been awarded to Manchester. Mr Marsden said: “What is significant is that in the last 10 days, on at least two occasions, the Prime Minister has expressed frustration about the need to find a regeneration solution for Blackpool which might involve a casino. I find that very heartening. We and the council now need to redouble our efforts, once the local election is over and the process resumes, to get Blackpool’s regeneration requirements back in the frame.” The Gazette’s Sign Up For Blackpool campaign was launched after the Casino Advisory Panel controversially selected Manchester as the best location for the supercasino. Blackpool’s regeneration case, and the argument over whether the casino would be better suited in an urban area rather than resort destination, were not properly investigated, critics said. There is also a growing call for the supercasino to be separated from the other 16 smaller casinos when the matter is next presented to Parliament. If this happens it is widely felt it would be harder for the selection of Manchester to pass through the Commons due to the level of support for Blackpool’s case. Casino veto 'was a slap in town's face' PLEASURE Beach boss Nick Thompson has blasted the Government for giving Blackpool a "painful slap in the face" by rejecting the resort's supercasino bid. He accused ministers of failing to support home-grown tourism. Speaking at the London launch of the Pleasure Beach’s new £8m Infusion rollercoaster, he said: “Handed the opportunity to boost Britain’s favourite resort by giving the green light to a new super-casino, the government rejected the chance - a painful slap in the face of our great seaside town that has brought us the famous Tower, Pleasure Beach and Illuminations. It is a decision that simply doesn’t make sense." “On the one hand the Government is urging us all to save the environment by taking more holidays in our own country and on the other it is spurning the chance to draw more visitors to Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Britain’s most visited tourist attraction and the third most popular in Europe with almost six million visitors a year.’’ He urged the Government to re-think the venue for the Las Vegas-style gambling palace and for Blackpool to be in the running.His words come after Prime Minister Tony Blair offered a glimmer of hope for Blackpool by telling the House of Commons that it was a “pity” that Manchester was awarded the super-casino licence although he felt that it was perfectly justified. In reply to a question from Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble, Mr Blair expressed dismay that Blackpool was unable to make the regeneration plans it wanted. Alan Cavill, Blackpool’s head of corporate policy and development, said Mr Blair’s words were encouraging. He said: “It’s good to know that Government thinks Blackpool had a good case and that it’s in need of regeneration. It’s another plus out of this process which we can take away and hopefully bank in some way. We are continuing to talk to government about what it can do to help our regeneration proposals." Casino blow 'a pity' says PM PRIME Minister Tony Blair said it is a "pity" Manchester was awarded the supercasino licence ruining Blackpool's regeneration dream. The PM said he was “entirely sympathetic to the concerns that Blackpool has expressed” in the wake of the bombshell decision. And Mr Blair said no fresh proposals on breaking the deadlock over the supercasino’s destination will be made until after the May 3 local elections. The Government may split the order for 16 large and small casinos from the order for the super-casino - breathing new life into Blackpool’s case. In response to a question by Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble, he said: “I know you’ve campaigned hard on this issue. It is a pity we ended up with Manchester being the site for the super-casino - although I think that it is perfectly justified there - and Blackpool unable to make the regeneration plans that it wants to make." “As a House, we need to look carefully and sensibly at the issue and recognise that in a world of online betting and huge opportunities for people to bet, casinos are not something that is against the proper norms of society, but something that can, in places such as Blackpool and Manchester, bring in much needed private investment and regeneration that will help to provide jobs and high living standards for people.” Supercasino dream lives on The House of Lords last night sensationally rejected the rubber-stamping of Manchester as the location for the UK’s first Las Vegas-style casino. It is victory for the 11,514 people who backed The Gazette’s Sign Up For Blackpool campaign in demanding Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell “Think Again”. The Lords’ vote stopped Manchester’s bid in its tracks and called on Mrs Jowell to set up a special scrutiny committee to look again at the siting of the coveted supercasino. Blackpool’s supporters now hope this gives the resort a second chance to stake its claim.And there was no shortage of MPs and peers today paying tribute to the role The Gazette’s campaign had played in the Lords’ vote. Lord Tom McNally of Blackpool, whose Liberal Democrat group tabled the amendment which led to the Government defeat, said the result kept the resort “in the game”. He added: “The Gazette’s petition was raised in the Lords. The vote was very tight, and when it’s close everything like that is vitally important. There was real scepticism in the Lords about the selection process and the way Blackpool had been dealt with.” The Lib Dem amendment to “decline” the recommendations of the controversial Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) won by just three votes. Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said: “We’ve put Blackpool’s needs right at the heart of government.“The Gazette’s petition was a fantastic demonstration of how passionately people felt about this issue.” The huge petition was presented to 10 Downing Street on Monday. Gazette Editor David Helliwell said: “We believed from day one the panel had got it wrong and it was vital Blackpool doggedly fought its corner. That’s what we’ve done - and proved the doom mongers wrong along the way. We don’t yet know the full implications of last night’s vote, but we do know that our readers have helped create a little bit of history and we’re incredibly proud of everyone who backed Blackpool.” Council leader Coun Roy Fisher, who twice wrote to all MPs urging them to back the resort’s case, said the result was a “second chance for Blackpool.” Blackpool’s Tory group leader Coun Peter Callow said the local campaign had led the way.
He said: “Without The Gazette’s involvement this would have been a dead duck weeks ago. The Gazette has been the motivation to do something about this injustice to Blackpool.” It is believed to be only the third time since the Second World War that the Lords have blocked a “statutory instrument” order supported by the Commons. It is an embarrassing blow for Ms Jowell who gambled “all or nothing” on pushing through the recommendations of the CAP. She had earlier tried to head off her critics - and a rebellion in her own Labour ranks - by accepting an amendment tabled by Labour peer Baroness Golding. It called for a new joint committee of MPs and peers to look at the lessons to be learned from the casino selection process. But this, peers said, would have been too late for Blackpool’s bid and they in turn voted in favour of the Lib Dem amendment to halt the process and look again at the supercasino location. Afterwards Ms Jowell - who controversially refused to separate the supercasino vote from the 16 other casinos, a move which now shelves her Government’s entire casino revolution - said she wanted to “reflect on the outcome” before bringing new proposals to Parliament. It is hoped the Government will be forced to redraw its plans. Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said: “We need to see how the Government responds and we shall continue to back Blackpool’s case.” It is hoped the supercasino will be a catalyst for a multi-million pound regeneration of central Blackpool triggering £700m of private sector investment and 3,000 new jobs. How resort’s rebellion won vote Few gave the rebellion any hope of succeeding. Ever since Tessa Jowell rubber-stamped the Casino Advisory Panel’s choice of Manchester many thought it was “Game Over” for Blackpool’s cherished dream of transforming itself into the UK’s version of Las Vegas – a world class resort of the 21st century. But those who believed Manchester was home and hosed did not take into account the anger, frustration and disquiet at the panel’s work. MPs and peers asked for the ruling of the CAP – a five–man panel of planning experts – to be reviewed before being asked to agree its recommendations for 17 small and large casinos. After three hours of fierce debate The Commons voted to approve the CAP’s recommendations – although the Government’s majority was slashed to just 24. It made no odds. The Commons vote was shot down by the upper house’s approval of an amendment which called for the process to be stopped and a joint committee to be set up to investigate the location of the casinos.
Lord Davis of Oldham who moved the order to back the CAP recommendation had argued the Government could not split the vote to separate the supercasino from small and large casinos. He said: “If the Secretary of State had split the order from the outset, accusations could certainly have been made the Government were cynically manipulating Parliament into voting Manchester down for their own electoral purposes. In that respect, the Government were bound to lose either way, but are standing firm on the principle that an independent panel reached its conclusions.” The view was roundly rejected, while the criticisms of the Lords’ Merits committee – which said the CAP process had not fulfilled its criteria or considered destination casinos ahead of cities – were supported. Lord McNally said: “Tessa Jowell said very proudly in the House (of Commons) she does not want a Las Vegas in the UK, but I do. Las Vegas today is one of the USA’s biggest sports centres, centre of entertainment industry and biggest centre of conferences and exhibitions and growth centres for corporate headquarters – gambling is a minority occupation in Las Vegas today. Those of us who back the regeneration through a supercasino saw it in terms of much broader based regeneration. We wanted the casino to act as a catalyst and help the regeneration to its hey day as a world class destination.” Ms Jowell opened the debate in the Commons by defending her decision to put the order forward. But Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire accused Ms Jowell of forcing MPs to take a “leap of faith” in the legislation without it being properly scrutinised, while Liberal Democrat spokesman on culture Don Foster branded the recommendation as filled with “confusion, chaos and contradiction.” He added: “Like many, I very much favoured destination casinos. I had hoped that this view would have been taken into account by the panel.” Blackpool’s MPs Joan Humble and Gordon Marsden both spoke passionately on Blackpool’s behalf, giving their own minister a rough ride.
Mr Marsden told Ms Jowell: “She must not allow herself to be turned into an air raid shelter, to shield bad advice from planners.”
Mrs Humble said: “On Monday I accompanied the editor of our evening paper, The Gazette, in bringing down to Downing Street a petition signed by more than 11,000 people. That shows the strength of feeling that has been in existence for a long time. Blackpool has been involved for seven years. This was our future. This was the new 21st century Blackpool." BLACKPOOL – your voice has been heard! The Gazette has delivered a defiant message to Government over the resort’s shock supercasino snub.
Despite the widespread disquiet at the ruling of the Government-appointed Casino Advisory Panel, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today appears to be digging her heels in and is “not for moving” on her controversial decision. Her “all or nothing” order to ratify 16 new and one regional “supercasino” will be placed before Parliament tomorrow.But she does so with deafening calls for a rethink - none louder than that from the Fylde coast - ringing in her ears. Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden, who joined The Gazette delegation in Downing Street yesterday, said: Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble added: “It's a brilliant achievement by The Gazette. We must hope now that Tony Blair and the rest of government take note of the high strength of feeling in Blackpool and among MPs. Many of my colleagues in Westminster are angry and concerned at the fact we are being asked to vote for it without it being properly examined.” The Government is said to be so concerned about Wednesday the Prime Minister has been called on to attend the vote.Wyre MP Ben Wallace, who was instrumental in swaying the opinion of Tory leader David Cameron to oppose the order, said: “We will be working with the Lords to make sure this measure is defeated. The ball is in Tessa Jowell's court. She can either take wise counsel and ask both houses to look at the panel's decision, or she can face defeat.” Mr Cameron said: “Parliament, in the form of a very senior Lords’ committee has looked at the panel’s advice and had some very serious questions about that advice. That is why I’ve asked myself the question ‘what would I do in Government’ and I think the right thing to do is to think again about the super casino.” Fylde MP Michael Jack described the opposition to the order as a “powerful cross-party alliance” and said he was delighted the Conservatives would now be voting against the order.He said: “The message has gone out very clearly that everyone from the Conservative side must be there for the vote. I think it creates a real chance for a powerful cross-party alliance to vote in such a way the Government won't be able to ignore that feeling.” There has been growing unrest since the CAP selected Manchester in January. Many critics – including planning and casino experts – deemed the panel report “flawed” on the basis of contradictory social impact evidence and a misreading of Blackpool's regeneration case. Among the Labour rebels showing his support for Blackpool is Bradford North MP Terry Rooney. Battle box goes to Number 10 THREE loud knocks on Number 10’s famous black door was followed by the deliverance of an even more deafening sound – the call for common sense. The voice of 11,514 Gazette readers was accepted in Britain’s seat of power by a ready smile and the promise our message would be “passed on right away”.
Developments over the last few weeks, culminating in the Tories’ backing of our case that Manchester’s controversial selection should be reviewed, put a spring in everyone’s step. Even the sun was shining down as Blackpool took its case to Number 10. “You’re here because of Blackpool and the casino,” the Downing Street security officer said with a knowing look. He appeared to be as up to speed on our campaign as Joey Blower – the Blackpool showman who The Gazette delegation bumped into on touching down at Stansted Airport. “The Government got it wrong, they know they got it wrong,” he said. “It’s fantastic what The Gazette is doing.” And the day had started well. Minutes after we touched down in London Tory leader David Cameron confirmed he was backing calls for Manchester’s supercasino bid to be halted in its tracks. After straining under the weight of the battle box, we made our way to the grandiose building that is the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. It was here that Tessa Jowell received the report of the Casino Advisory Panel on January 30 and, within a few short hours, so controversially decided to back it to the hilt. We decamped at the entrance and within two minutes a press officer arrived. We handed him a dossier detailing the Sign Up To Blackpool campaign. “Mrs Jowell has great sympathy for all the towns and cities which were not successful, particularly Blackpool,” he said. The consensus feeling as we left the DCMS is that what Blackpool needs is not sympathy, but a rethink. After that it was on to the Houses of Parliament and lobbying Lords and MPs, although the phrase “preaching to the converted” springs to mind. There is now just 24 hours until a massive day in Parliament for Blackpool. The result appears still too close to call, but just like the battle box itself Blackpool’s message has reached Westminster – loud and proud. Baroness gives defiant message
Baroness Llin Golding – a no-nonsense former Labour whip – held showdown talks with Tessa Jowell last night. Although the Culture Secretary appears “not for turning” on her stance the supercasino should be located in Manchester she will have been left in no doubt as to how unpopular the decision is with peers. Baroness Golding, who served on the original cross-party committee which scrutinised the draft Gambling Bill, has a formidable reputation and a powerful voice in Parliament.Quietly spoken, but with steely eyes and an unshakeable resolve, her support for the view the casino should be in a destination resort is absolute. Baroness Golding said: “There is strong support for a destination casino. Many people were shocked it was Manchester because the city has had so much and Blackpool has had so little.” As the vote draws nearer, Baroness Golding is growing more and more confident the order supporting Manchester will be thrown out by the Lords. She has been telling Mrs Jowell from the moment the CAP report came out its findings were wrong and the Government would lose the vote in the Lords. And she believes the strong feelings of people in Blackpool will also be vital. Baroness Golding added: “I do recognise how much effort has gone into collecting the signatures on The Gazette petition. Blackpool needs the casino to regenerate the whole of its seafront.” Our plea to Tony Blair “Go speak to the people in Blackpool who urgently need the regeneration.” Dear Prime Minister, Since the Casino Advisory Panel so controversially chose Manchester for the regional casino licence, Blackpool residents have dusted themselves down and shouted loud and proud about why they feel the panel got it wrong. In the last six weeks The Gazette – Blackpool's local newspaper – has had 11,514 people sign up to its petition calling for a rethink.
Our belief the CAP got the decision wrong is shared by many MPs and peers and has led to serious questions being raised by an influential Lords committee. It has never been our wish to do Manchester down. It is a very fine city, a beacon of what regeneration can mean to people, but it has other ways of bringing in major We believe there are a number of flaws in the Casino Advisory Panel’s case. I am sure you are well aware of the details of the debate that has been going on. I would just like to make a couple of points: The casino development would be the start, the catalyst for a transformation. The town’'s masterplan is not just about building a destination casino but there is nothing else on its scale in the pipeline that would give the town such a kick start. Blackpool’s tourism industry is clearly in decline. Equally clearly it is no longer attracting the I, and many others, found the panel’s view that Blackpool should accept its fate “and manage its decline” arrogant, dismissive and a further spur to get the recommendation reviewed. Blackpool was a pioneer as the world’s first mass market tourist resort, forefathers dreamed up the tower and piers and made them famous the world over, the town’s motto is Progress. It will be a bitter blow if that progress is stymied by a report and recommendation that is poorly David Helliwell
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More than 11,500 Gazette readers Signed Up For Blackpool and, as promised, their views were taken to Number 10. Support for Blackpool’s case that Manchester’s controversial choice should be reviewed now has massive support in Westminster.Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs are set to vote against Manchester’s selection while there is uproar in the House of Lords.
Given the sudden national interest in The Gazette’s Sign Up For Blackpool campaign Prime Minister Tony Blair will surely now be left in no doubt what the people of Blackpool think.The grin on the Downing Street staff member who accepted the campaign “battle box” – containing thousands of petitions and covered in Gazette front pages – was matched by the one worn by the delegation presenting it.
WHAT is perfectly clear from within Parliament is the Government’s casino plans face serious problems in the House of Lords. And the woman leading Blackpool’s charge in the upper house is fiercely determined the resort will win through.
Residents and visitors alike have signed up because they still believe Blackpool is the right location for the regional casino licence. The local authority has estimated that up to £700m of investment could be lost if the casino recommendation is ratified.
