Casino News

Tories accused over stalled casino plans

2007-05-09 16:53:47

The government's stalled plans to build 17 new casinos across the UK have failed because of opposition from the Conservative Party, prime minister Tony Blair has claimed.

Speaking at the weekly prime minister's questions in the House of Commons just 24 hours before he is expected to announce his departure from politics, Mr Blair said that the Tories had created conflict between Manchester and Blackpool.

The two cities had been candidates for the sole super-casino award, with Manchester eventually chosen as the location before the House of Lords rejected the proposals, but the prime minister insisted that both venues could have benefited from the plans.

"I think it is extraordinary you have got a situation where, as a result of what the Conservatives have done, they have put in jeopardy the casino in Manchester and they go around the streets of Blackpool telling people that they support the casino there, whereas if we had had our way originally, without their intervention, we would have been able to do both," Mr Blair commented.

The prime minister said that new proposals, to be introduced shortly, would seek to return to the original plan and look to build a super-casino in either location providing investment was in place.


© Adfero Ltd