BOLA AGM: Racing quango MP Golding wants betting freedom - but not in pubs.
Byline: David Ashforth LLIN GOLDING, who is standing down at the next General Election after 15 years as an MP, was presented with lifetime membership of her local racecourse, Wolverhampton, by BOLA yesterday, writes David Ashforth. The member for Newcastle-under-Lyme, an enthusiastic racegoer and co-chair of the Parliamentary Racing and Bloodstock Committee, had earlier told BOLA's annual meeting that she was opposed to betting in pubs. Golding said: "I will not be supporting betting in pubs, but it is a nonsense to allow betting on the Irish lottery but not on Camelot's lottery." The Labour MP also expressed support for an end to the "archaic restrictions on casinos, including a 24-hour wait for membership, ban on music, and limit on the number of slot machines". Ranging widely over current issues, Golding declared: "It is up to the BHB and bookmaking industry to come to an agreement. Until they do, nothing will change. We all have to work together." |