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Blair wanted resort casino
FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair has slammed Gordon Brown for axing the supercasino.
Writing in his autobiography, published this week, Mr Blair branded the decision "ineffectual."
He said his successor had been under pressure from the church and right-wing press.
Manchester was controversially selected as the location for the proposed supercasino by an independent panel.
But their recommendation was rejected by the House of Lords following a Gazette campaign to bring the investment to Blackpool instead.
In the weeks following, Blackpool MPs Gordon Marsden and Joan Humble held talks at Number 10 with Mr Blair which could have seen both Manchester and Blackpool awarded supercasino licences.
But the hopes came to nothing after the then Prime Minister stepped down and Mr Brown later scrapped the policy completely.
Referring to Mr Brown's decision, Mr Blair writes: "It was the worst form of puritanism – partisan as well as ineffectual.
"So people can gamble to their hearts' content and their wallets' limit – but not in a brand-new town complex with a casino, entertainment centre, sports facilities and shops."
FOR THE FULL STORY PICK UP A COPY OF FRIDAY'S GAZETTE.
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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