Iain Duncan Smith: White paper is a “compromise”
Former Tory leader reveals government position is unclear but that he remains optimistic on an overhaul to gambling laws
Sir Iain Duncan Smith has revealed the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review is a “compromise” and the government remains at an impasse on its eventual publication date.
Speaking at a fringe event concerning the white paper hosted by the Social Market Foundation at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, the former Conservative Party leader lifted the lid on the government’s current stance on the subject.
Smith said he has pressured the new government on the release of the white paper, but conceded the issue is not at the top of its priorities given the current climate.
Smith said: “It’s not all together certain where the government is right now [on the white paper] because of the change. I’ve been to Downing Street to say the white paper has to be published and don’t think you can bury because we won’t let it be.”
The MP for Chingford and Woodford Green went on to note the delay is a carry-on effect from the previous government.
He continued: “The last government probably was dragging its feet on the white paper. If we think about who was keen on it at the time, the present Chief Secretary [Chris Philp] still remains very keen. I saw him briefly and said we need to talk about [the white paper] and he agreed.
“There are others who are not so keen, so you’ll get push back, almost certainly from the Treasury on the revenues they receive.
“My point therefore is that it is still a bit of a work in progress, and they may want to look at it again. The balance of arguments remains much as it does before,” he added.
The white paper, which has been delayed at least four times, is still with Number 10 awaiting its release.
The previous Gambling Minister Philp delivered the white paper to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson before the revolt which saw him ousted from Downing Street and eventually replaced by Liz Truss.
Truss’ government has made no reference to the publication of the white paper, with the early days of her Premiership plagued by an economic crisis.
Truss appointed Michelle Donelan, who Smith said was “completely new to the idea [of the white paper]”, as Secretary of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to replace Nadine Dorries.
Smith also added the caveat that once a white paper is published, it signals intent from government to alter legislation.
He mused that the delay could relate to this fact, with the government cautious over being held to account over new policy following publication.