Bearwood’s very own Methodist Preacher writes to The Guardian:
Polly Toynbee should not be surprised that the government was suckered into the myth of “responsible gambling”. Even Britain’s Methodist Church, normally a long-standing opponent of gambling, supported the laughably named Responsibility in Gambling Trust by placing a member of staff on its board. That representative was subsequently appointed to a well-paid job on the Gambling Commission.
The Responsibility in Gambling Trust is one of the few charities to pay its chair – normally a voluntary role – a salary, according to Third Sector magazine. If the Methodist Church can get it so spectacularly wrong, why shouldn’t the government?
David Hallam,
Smethwick, West Midlands
Fortunately, David, there is no chance of Sandwell being awarded one of these ‘prize’ casinos, as, to my knowledge at least, we are the only local authority in the country which stipulated in it’s gambling policy statement that we would not allow any further such gambling dens into the borough.
Thanks Bob to you and other local Labour Sandwell councillors who have led the way on this.
Jobs think of all those jobs , and then again the extra help collecting the bad debts, more nurses needed as the mafia works with local thugs to ensure all bets are paid. new Labours idea for those wicked nasty disabled spongers work you bastard