Keir Starmer names new shadow DCMS head
Thangam Debbonaire previously slammed “high levels of problem gambling” as she moves to post responsible for the sector
Keir Starmer has appointed Thangam Debbonaire as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
As part of a shadow cabinet reshuffle, the Labour leader has moved Debbonaire to the post that oversees gambling regulation in the UK.
Previously, Debbonaire served as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons from May 2021.
Debbonaire will be replaced by Lucy Powell, who herself has switched from her position as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Starmer’s reshuffle now mirrors the existing split in government, whereby the DCMS was split into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
According to an Opinium poll released last week, Labour currently hold a 14-point lead over the Conservatives, with a general election set for next year.
The switch to a Labour government would see a shift in policy, including potentially in gambling, with the Gambling Commission having begun its consultation into the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review this summer.
Debbonaire’s predecessor Powell had previously signalled her support for Gambling with Lives, while the Bristol West MP herself has also spoken about the sector in the past.
During a House of Commons debate in December, Debbonaire took the opportunity to hit out at the government’s failure to deliver on promises in a timely manner.
The MP said: “Public strategies are a mess. There is confusion over whether the government’s plans to deal with health inequality, tobacco and obesity have been shelved.
“The gambling reform white paper is up in the air, despite high levels of problem gambling, and related mental health effects and suicides. May we have ministerial statements on these important matters, so that ministers can clarify what on earth the government are up to?” she added.
The white paper was finally released in April after almost two-and-a-half years of delays and setbacks.
In a statement, the Betting and Gaming Council welcomed Debbonaire to her new position.
The trade body said: “On behalf of our members, who support 110,000 jobs, generate £4.2bn in tax and contribute £7.1bn in gross value added, we’d like to congratulate Thangam on her appointment.
“We look forward to working with her as we continue to raise standards and promote safer gambling.”
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