Bacta's preparations for the next UK general election are continuing apace, with George McGregor, executive director for government relations, regulatory affairs and communications, recently attending a meeting with Labor Party candidates North West England, including Patrick Hurley (Southport), Michelle Scrogham (Barrow & Furness) and Chris Webb (Blackpool South).
The meeting, which was part of a wider Tourism Alliance programme, addressed a wide range of tourism-related issues, including support for the beach sector, the contribution of the leisure industry to beach economies and the need to increase stake and prize levels on gaming machines.
Reflecting on the initiative, George McGregor said: "We know there will be a general election this year and it's a really good time to engage with potential parliamentary candidates who are in campaign mode.
The Labor candidates I have met are all likely new MPs according to current opinion polls. The meeting was a great opportunity to bond ahead of the general election, outline our industry's contribution to economies across the country and explain the unique set of challenges it faces, not least its inability to raise prices due to betting and prize regulations.”
The president of Bacta, John Bollom, he added: "The trade association has been preparing for the general election for some time and the recent meeting with prospective Labor MPs follows the participation of Labour's Lord McNicol of West Kilbride's EAG, who became the first politician to open an edition of the EAG/ATEI by Tim Sainsbury MP in 1994.
Prior to that November Bacta convention featured the Minister for Gambling, the Honorable Stuart Andrew MP, who gave a keynote speech, as well as Phillip Davies, the Conservative MP for Shipley".
Has continued: "Political engagement is a key part of the full package of services we provide to Bacta members and I believe that through the efforts of the trade association and those of member organizations who have opened their doors to MPs from their constituency, the heritage industry politician has rarely been so high".
