Capitalism is a giant casino. It is no surprise, then, that the Tories, British capitalism’s primary political representatives, have such cosy ties to the gambling industry.
These dodgy connections have come to light recently as a result of the suspension of (former) Tory MP Scott Benton.
Last year, the representative for Blackpool South was found guilty by the parliamentary standards committee of accepting bribes from undercover reporters. These journalists were pretending to be investors, on the search for a pliable statesman to give betting firms a helping hand in Westminster.
This week, Benton lost his appeal against his suspension. As a result, he is now being encouraged to step down from his seat by the ‘men in grey suits’. If he doesn’t, local constituents might give him the boot via a recall petition, paving the way for yet another by-election.
Given the Tories’ recent track record when it comes to by-election contests, this isn’t a prospect that Rishi Sunak is likely to be relishing.
Lobbying
But Benton’s antics are only the thin end of the wedge. In 2021, for example, four Tory MPs were revealed to have written sponsored content on the ConservativeHome website for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which represents the UK gambling sector.
In return for praising the “huge economic contribution” that betting companies supposedly make to local communities, these MPs received perks such as £1,400 VIP tickets to the Ascot Races.
Then there is Philip Davies, the co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Betting and Gaming – a group that until recently was headed by none other than Scott Benton.
As well as being a renowned and outspoken proponent for a plethora of reactionary views, and a semi-regular host on GB News, Davies has consistently lobbied as an MP on behalf of casinos and gambling monopolies like Entain Holdings, owners of Ladbrokes and Coral.
He has received over £57,000 in consultancy fees and ‘hospitality’ from Entain alone, on top of expensive freebies from other betting businesses, including fully-paid trips to Wimbledon and Cheltenham.
Favours
Other Tory MPs have also been hired as ‘advisors’ by the BGC, receiving up to £200 per hour for their loyal services. This is on top of an estimated £200,000 handed out to MPs since 2021 in the form of ‘hospitality’ gifts, mostly to big sporting events.
And of course, all of this pales in comparison to the corrupt favours that the Tories provide – through their various side-hustles and second jobs – to their banker friends in the City of London and to big business.
It’s time to sweep away all these servants of the spivs, speculators, and spielers. Let’s kick out the capitalist gamblers and grifters, and put the working class in charge. That’s a bet worth taking a punt on.
