Dear Mr Lammy .... Re Gambling Act 2005

Dear HoL members,

We face a another application for a gambling licence for an establishment on Green Lanes. That's seven gambling outlets along a small stretch of Green lanes. Under the current Gambling Act 2005 there's no reason why we won't end up with more.

David Lammy MP is also against this number of gambling outlets within our community. He has sent in his objections to this latest application here. To push the case for change within Parliament Mr Lammy needs as many letters from us as possible.

You are welcome to copy the letter below or write your own. Please either;

(a) email: mail@davidlammy.co.uk [suggest 'Gambling Green Lanes' for a subject heading], or
(b) write to: David Lammy MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Here's the letter;

Your Address
Date

Rt. Hon. David Lammy, MP
House of Commons
London SW1 OAA



Dear David Lammy,

I am writing to express my concern that Harringay is facing its seventh Gambling Licence application for Green Lanes. Our area is fast turning into a gambling strip with a concentration of so many betting shops within a small area. I would like to express my strong opposition to this and am seeking your help here to stop this blight on Grand Parade.

I would like to ask what actions you intend to take as our local MP about this serious issue. Clearly there needs to be a change in the law as at present gambling operators seem to be able to establish themselves so easily within our community. This is unacceptable and we really need you to act decisively.

In the past, you have indicated that you oppose the spread of gambling establishments and would work towards bringing this to an end. We are relying on you as we realise that there are very few ways that a community or individual can oppose an application for a gambling licence. Previous community based campaigns, even with media support, have failed. I believe the increased number of these gambling establishments has changed the character of our high street for the worse. The arguments against these gambling establishments are well known;

• Attract serious crime
• Links to petty crime
• Addiction of gambling
• Bad impression given to young people
• Taking away choice for our community for essential local shopping by pricing out other businesses for leases

The current law gives my community little chance to oppose on these grounds. This must change.

We would like to see from you a clear plan of action to work with other MPs and officials within parliament to move for a change in the current law overseeing gambling establishments. We would like to see significant progress before April 2010.

Yours sincerely

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Cut and paste the letter above into your email or see word.doc attached below for posting.

Please let us know here if you email/write in.

Thank you