Bingo Gets Backing of MP
Its great to see a number of politicians lining up to lobby the government to change its rather one-eyed new rules on bingo tax after a number of concerns have been raised by a diverse and wide ranging group of people.
For example, the new House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is only one MP backing calls for the Government to rethink its tax on Britain’s bingo industry. But Mr Bercow is only one of about 100 MPs urging the House to show support and help, rather than hinder, bingo halls. Action has begun with an early motion urging the Chancellor to ‘consider the future impact of April’s rise in bingo duty from 15 up to 22%’.
While it is truly satisfying to observe this increasing political support for the great community game of bingo, one cant help but wonder why it has taken so long for politicians and other people to realize that bingo fulfils such a crucial role for so many in the community and for the community as a whole? Bingo has played such a crucial role in providing social interaction for people for so many years now that one would have assumed the importance of its role in our communities was common knowledge – apparently not.
The CEO of Rank (Mecca Bingo) recently commented, “The support received currently from MPs from all sides of politics, from all parties, shows the strength of feeling there is about what the Government is doing to bingo” We think its much more a case of what the Government has already done to bingo and now urgently needs to put right.
But, as Ian Burke, CEO of Rank added to his earlier comments, “It’s good to see that our new Speaker believes in fair play too”. It was most tactful of Mr Burke to express himself in that way. A lot of people would say (not so tactfully) that the politicians are starting to realize what (voting) power so many people (that is little people who play bingo) have, with an election not so far off.
It is more than interesting to see how many people, not only players of the game, are now banding together to fight for bingo. Recently, a meeting of representatives from North Shields based bingo club, Beach Bingo, met with Tynemouth MP, Alan Campbell, seeking his assistance to fight for their beloved game. Mr Campbell has agreed to lobby the government to change its rules on bingo tax after hearing the concerns expressed by this group and others.
Its heartening to realize that people power once again is still alive and well in the community particularly when people feel there is something fighting for. They should never think they as individuals, or small groups, wont make a difference – because even as individuals alone they can. For instance it was a single individual who started the idea of a petition, which 300 people signed the petition, and was put out by the North Shields based bingo club, Beach Bingo. All those involved with the petition should be congratulated by getting the effort together and into the hands of their MP, Mr Campbell.
