As Harold Wilson was so fond of observing, a week is a long time in politics. The truth of that statement will not have been lost on Blackpool’s light entertainment fraternity, whose hopes that their town would become the British Las Vegas have first receded and since revived, all in the space of seven days.
The comments by Professor Peter Collins in The Stage represent something more than bland reassurance or an endorsement from the sidelines. Collins fulfils an inside political role as advisor to the Westminster committee assessing the government’s gaming proposals. He thus provides as close an indication of present parliamentary thinking as we can expect to date.
Backbench and opposition opinion is rarely, of course, a sure indicator of Downing Street’s own thoughts on the matter. Yet there is good reason to suppose committee and government will be thinking along similar lines in this case. A key consideration - and one which may have significantly swung events in Blackpool’s favour - will have been current concern over the effects on our urban areas of the relaxation of the drinking laws.
Welcome as liberalisation has been in some respects, it has nevertheless contributed to a rise in violent incidents in city centres. Critics of gaming liberalisation have likewise warned of the social costs involved - not least the probability of an increase in gambling addiction. Hence the wish to avoid creating captive markets of punters by the placing of casinos in the midst of large cities.
As Professor Collins acknowledges, this is to the advantage of Blackpool. To begin with, a limit on inner-city gaming will lessen the enthusiasm of overseas investors for building premises in the major conurbations. Furthermore, it is no revelation that few people visit Blackpool for any other reason than because it is a resort. This increases greatly its chances of being able to site its own casinos in the heart of the town.
This week the scrutiny committee will deliver its thoughts on the government criteria for the so-called resort casinos. If either side considers that Blackpool does not qualify for eligibility that will be a surprise, not to say downright unlikely. Qualifying in principle does not guarantee inclusion in the final shortlist of winners, however.
Once again it comes down to a matter of political and economic expediency. There are more votes and jobless on hand in the major cities. Furthermore, placing a casino on the perimeter of Salford, Manchester or Glasgow might offer better transport facilities than one in the middle of an unreconstructed Blackpool.
So if the immediate threat to Blackpool’s dreams has been removed, the likelihood of converting wish into reality should not be regarded as a foregone conclusion.
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