Casino film gets Labour showing

Coventry city councillors are so determined to try to bring a super casino to the Ricoh Arena that they are lobbying politicians at this week's Labour Party conference.

John McGuigan, director of city development, has overseen the making of a DVD which will be shown on the city's stand throughout both the Labour and Conservative party conferences.

Mr McGuigan said the film, which includes interviews with local business experts, community champions and councillors from both main parties: "pulls no punches."

He said: "It makes it quite clear that there are around 2,000 Coventry families whose lives could be better if a casino opens at the Ricoh Arena.

"That's because they could find good jobs at the casino itself or the five-star hotel that would be built to support the casino."

Mr McGuigan was "bitterly disappointed" when the city was not even included on the government's Casino Advisory Panel national short-list of eight.

This was despite having all the infrastructure at the Ricoh Arena all ready to go.

Last month the London Borough of Brent - which did make the shortlist - pulled out because it feared local people were not entirely backing the bid.

* Tony Blair was today spelling out Labour's policies and plans for the years ahead at the conference - even though he will not be around to implement them.