Roulette and craps

I never really understood why New Labour wanted to flood the country with casinos. But Ms Jowell would not appear to have covered herself in glory. The Times reports:

I found myself watching Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Gambling. As ever, when facing serious opposition, she relied on impeccable logic. It had been recommended that the supercasino be in Manchester and not Blackpool and so in Manchester it must be. The reason for this was because it had been recommended. Eyes glazed. Tessa was ridiculously tetchy. She spoke endlessly about how supercasinos will save deprived areas and poor people. This is her new mission in life: cure poverty with gambling. How does that work? Only the croupier knows, I guess.

I doubt if the demise of the supercasino and its smaller brothers will be much lamented (except possibly in Blackpool and Stranraer). Nor will the inevitable (and imminent) demise of Ms Jowell as a member of the cabinet.