Reaction: Tracey Crouch quits over FOBT cuts delay
Read all the latest industry and social media reaction to the news that UK culture minister Tracey Crouch has resigned over “unjustifiable” FOBT delay
UK culture minister Tracey Crouch quit her role last night following the decision to postpone stake cuts to fixed odds betting terminals until October 2019.
Crouch had been one of the most public advocates of a maximum stake cut to fixed odds betting terminals together with former culture secretary Matt Hancock.
Crouch told Sky News reporters in her Kent constituency this morning that she had “no regrets whatsoever” about leaving, adding: “I am perfectly comfortable with my decision.”
It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever. pic.twitter.com/rD8bEbCQcK
— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) November 1, 2018
In her letter of resignation, Crouch said: “I cannot begin to explain how many people got in touch to congratulate Government on its stance, including addicts, their families and also, sadly, those who have been left behind after loved ones took their own lives as a consequence of addiction.
“Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests.
“From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation, more than £1.6bn will be lost on these machines, a significant amount of which will be in our most deprived areas including my own constituency.
“In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling related problems and for that reason as much as any other I believe this delay is unjustifiable,” she added.
Industry reaction
GamblingConsultant CEO Steve Donoughue
“The trouble with when a gambling minister leaves the post is that you have the not-knowing about what their replacement will be like.
“Ministers do have an impact on gambling policy and their personal views do affect how government deals with the industry.
“Tracy Crouch’s tenure as gambling minister was purely about FOBTs and her dislike of them, but it was the rest of DCMS, the Treasury and No. 10 that in the end have made the big decisions on that issue down the years, with Crouch doing what she could as the most junior of ministers.
“In her defence she has shown she has had principles, however non-evidence based they may have been.
“The problem now for the industry is we undoubtedly have a newbie, someone whose knowledge of us is just what they have read in the press, and that hasn’t been very good lately.”
GambleAware CEO Marc Etches
“Gambling is a public health issue and Tracey Crouch has done an excellent job of raising awareness of this across government.
“GambleAware has valued her involvement with the charity, both speaking regularly at our annual conferences and offering support for our work.
“We were pleased to be asked to work with public health authorities and to lead a new safer gambling advertising campaign.
“We certainly hope she will continue her interest in our work as a constituency MP who has seen the impact of problem gambling first hand.”
RGA CEO Clive Hawkswood
“Tracey was a capable and knowledgeable Minister. Whatever her reasons for leaving we wish her well for the future.”
Twitter highlights
This is a wonderful thing to see, whatever you think (or don’t) about gambling and FOBTs. It’s a person, a Member of Parliament, acting entirely on principle and not at all on self-interest. She did it quickly, decisively and without looking back. Very well done. https://t.co/arsNlylYKp
— Victoria Coren Mitchell (@VictoriaCoren) November 2, 2018
The new Secretary of State has threatened all of this good work. He has prioritised corporate interests over victims, profits over public health and greed over good. He should be thoroughly ashamed
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) November 1, 2018
Congratulations to @tracey_crouch who deserves huge credit not just for her campaign but for sticking up for her principles
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 1, 2018
https://t.co/dFWMaI4AZf Every Director of a major corporate gambling company should read this article. The way this issue has been dealt with will harm your industry for years to come. Most of society now knows how your industry works. How's this going @RGWeek18 ??
— Jimmy Justice (@gondorffhenry) November 2, 2018
What next?
The Telegraph reported the Prime Minister is now “facing the prospect of defeat in the Commons with dozens of Tory MPs prepared to back a rebel amendment to the finance bill later this month”, which could see the FOBT stake cut moved forward to April.