Before a last minute snap election changed everything, British racing’s leaders had been working extremely hard to secure ‘vital’ reform to the Levy.
Despite this, the election provided an opportunity for racing to engage with not only a new government, but with a transformed Parliament.
Victoria Morgan, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the British Horseracing Association (BHA), speaks of how racing has approached the Government’s first 100 days in power.
She explained that although the election of a Labour government was an odds-on certainty, it was less clear how the party viewed racing’s key issues.
The only topic connected to racing in its manifesto was gambling, about which it simply stated: ‘Labour is committed to reducing gambling-related harm. Recognising the evolution of the gambling landscape since 2005, Labour will reform gambling regulation, strengthening protections. We will continue to work with the industry on how to ensure responsible gambling.’
Whilst player protection of gambling harm was at the forefront of April 2023’s White Paper, Morgan believes that it did not outright specify any recommendations or solutions to not only players, but the industry as well.
She noted: “This echoed comments by Labour in opposition that it supported the aims of the previous government’s White Paper without providing detail on any specific measures it may consider to reform gambling regulation beyond this.
“The sense of uncertainty around gambling and sport policy was compounded by the fact that the former Shadow Secretary of State for the DCMS, Thangam Debbonaire, lost her Bristol seat to the Green Party candidate.”
While Wigan MP Lisa Nandy was swiftly appointed as the Secretary of State in July, it was not evident how DCMS ministerial responsibilities would be assigned until the end of the month.
Stephanie Peacock was appointed as Minister for Sport yet lost the gambling brief to Baroness Twycross, meaning that responsibility for gambling policy now sits in the House of Lords, with Peacock responsible for announcing and steering any future gambling regulations through the Commons.
There is also one less minister in DCMS than under the previous government. That will likely make it difficult for all sports, including racing, to engage with a Government that not only has an overflowing in-tray, but that found itself in power sooner than anticipated.
Morgan added: “With the government setting out a gloomy economic narrative it may be easy for racing to feel downbeat at the prospect of imminent Levy reform, or an alternative approach to affordability checks being a possibility.”
However, she asserted that BHA leaders have already had a productive meeting with Baroness Twycross – a Minister who is said to be bringing a ‘pragmatic and collaborative’ approach to engaging with stakeholders in the racing and gambling industries.
Morgan also detailed how another opportunity for racing lies in Parliament itself: “The election brought about the largest change in the House of Commons for years, not only with the shift from Conservatives to Labour, but with hundreds of new MPs of all parties embarking on their political careers.
“This means many of Britain’s racecourses are now represented by new MPs, with Labour representing 23, the Conservatives 21, the Liberal Democrats 12, Reform one and the Scottish National Party one.
“The BHA, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company and the Racecourse Association, working with independent racecourses, have already met 30 MPs representing British racecourses since the general election. Several racecourse and stable visits have already been undertaken and there are more in the pipeline as our political engagement steps up yet another gear.”
Finally, representatives of the BHA’s Corporate Affairs team attended all three major party conferences earlier this autumn, taking part in fringe events and meetings with MPs.
While animal welfare fringe events were described as being ‘well attended’, Morgan emphasised that it was encouraging that racing was not referenced in any of them.
“However, given animal welfare is an emotive issue that fills MPs’ inboxes, we will continue to demonstrate to the government and to MPs our collective commitment to continuously improving horse welfare,” she continued.
Morgan concluded: “Of course, Levy reform remains at the top of our agenda and we will meet with the Betting and Gaming Council and DCMS ministers and officials in the coming weeks to make progress – supported by MPs and Peers who are working hard to advocate on our behalf.
“We are also urgently raising the impact of affordability checks at the highest levels in government as betting turnover continues to fall.”