Evening Standard (London): Gambling shake-up in chaos after poll delay

PM runs out of time to push through key reforms TONY Blair's decision to postpone the election announcement has put at risk key legislation, including the controversial Gambling Bill.

The Prime Minister was today running out of time to pass a series of new laws as all three parties went into a 24-hour political truce in honour of the Pope.

Mr Blair will see the Queen tomorrow to name 5 May as polling day and then use a speech in a marginal Labour seat in the South-East to announce the campaign formally.

He will plead with voters not to treat the election as a "referendum" on his leadership but as a choice between Labour and Conservative policies for the future.

Mr Blair had planned to fire the starting gun today but decided on Sunday to postpone it as a mark of respect for Pope John Paul II.

The delay cuts a full day off the time left for passing urgent Bills before the Commons is dissolved.

And in a warning shot ahead of three days of intense wrangling between the Government and Opposition, the Conservatives today called for a cut in the number of super casinos contained in the new Gambling Bill, one of several put at risk by the election dash. Others include plans for identity cards and moves to outlaw religious hatred.

Ministers are determined to keep the Gambling Bill intact because the creation of gambling resorts is seen as key to the revival of several derelict inner-city sites, bringing in Pounds 2billion of inward investment and creating thousands of new jobs.

But the dawn of 24-hour casinos, most of which would be owned by foreign conglomerates, has sparked fears of nationwide gambling addiction and has led to lobbying by UKbased firms who say they are being treated unfairly.

Other parts of the Bill have allparty backing, including the creation of a Gambling Commission and regulating new forms of gambling, such as internet sites and games advertised by mobile phone text messages.

Conservative shadow culture minister John Whittingdale said: "This is a major and controversial Bill which has only been debated for four hours or so in the House of Lords.

We are not prepared to let things through that are not in the public interest."

But Labour will also play hardball by making any Bills that are blocked into an election issue.

AS BLAIR HOLDS BACK NAMING 5 MAY OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE POPE...

Bills now facing the axe Gambling Bill Purpose: Overhaul needed to regulate new gambling in the digital era. Also ushers in 24-hour giant casinos.

Prospects: Endangered.

Industry regulation will be backed but Tories want fewer super- casinos.

ID Cards Purpose: Compulsory identification documents are part of project to combat crime and terrorism.

Prospects: Nil. Although popular, the Bill is too controversial to be rushed through in a few days.

Child Benefit Bill Purpose: Extends weekly payments to families with children aged 16 to 19 who are in education.

Prospects: Excellent.

Purpose: Compulsory treatment for those who test positive in police stations.

Prospects: Risks being lost.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill Purpose: Creates council powers to tackle dog fouling, graffiti, litter and flyposting.

Prospects: Poor. The Bill has had little debating time so far.

Outlawing religious hatred Purpose: Makes it a crime to incite religious hatred.

Prospects: Poor. Widespread opposition, but Labour would use any Tory veto to woo Muslim voters.

Serious and Organised Crime Bill Purpose: Sets up an FBI-style national police force to tackle organised crime.

Prospects: Good. The Opposition are nervous of opposing a crime fighting Bill.

Constitutional Reform Bill Purpose: Major judicial reforms, including creation of a supreme court.

Prospects: Only if Government accepts defeats on the role of the Lord Chancellor.

Merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise Purpose: To create efficiency and savings in the two big money-raising departments.

Prospects: Good. Plans have widespread support.