Liz Truss election raises hopes of countering affordability checks - MP

Liz Truss's appointment as prime minister has been hailed as a major positive for racing by fellow Conservative MP Laurence Robertson, who hopes she will oppose the controversial affordability checks, which are set to feature in the upcoming gambling white paper and would cost the sport millions.

Robertson, whose Tewkesbury constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, has long campaigned against strict betting restrictions and previously described the “devastating impact” affordability checks would have on racing’s finances – a hit estimated at £100 million per year.

Yet Truss – who beat leadership rival Rishi Sunak with 81,326 votes to Sunak's 60,399 on Monday – has stressed throughout her leadership campaign that she opposes restrictions on how people can spend their money, and referenced "freedom" and "the ability to control your own life" in her speech on Monday. Robertson hopes this extends to betting.

He said of Truss's appointment: “It's good news. When I've discussed issues with her – and indeed when she made her speech today – she's very much agreed that people should do as they wish, it's about freedom and I hope that extends to betting. Let's see what happens but that's my hope.

“The way I've put it is that if people enjoy a drink, or a smoke or a bet we should respect them, they should live their lives the way they want to live them. There are millions of those people and often they feel nobody speaks up for them.

Laurence Robertson: 'It's about freedom and I hope that extends to betting'Credit: Nicholas Jones

"We've got to return to that kind of politics and she's given me every kind of indication that she'd do that – I'd be looking to keep her to that I suppose.”

The gambling review white paper has been expected on an almost monthly basis throughout 2022. The resignation of Boris Johnson led to a further delay at least until the autumn, but it remains to be seen where it will figure in the new administration's priorities given the scale of the cost of living crisis.

The BHA said it was looking forward to working with the new prime minister, whose appointment came a day after the BHA announced the arrival of Greg Swift, former head of news and press secretary to then-foreign secretary Truss, as a director of communications and corporate affairs.

Swift's link to Truss is seen as potentially significant in helping British racing establish a productive relationship with the government, with levy reform and welfare among other key topics for the sport.

Swift, described as a "great asset" by BHA chief executive Julie Harrington, will be responsible for leading racing's liaison with, and lobbying of, the government.

Harrington said on Monday: "I extend my congratulations to Liz Truss on her election as prime minister and look forward to engaging with her administration on how British racing can support our rural communities and showcase Britain on the global stage.

"Our sport will continue to advocate on a cross-industry, cross-party, basis for our key policy priorities – working with our parliamentary supporters – reflecting the challenges which our many businesses and participants are facing in the current economic climate."

Julie Harrington: 'Our sport will continue to advocate on a cross-industry, cross-party, basis for our key policy priorities'Credit: Steve Davies

The rising costs crisis is a key early challenge for Truss and has ramifications for trainers, racecourses and bookmakers and an announcement relating to a support package for energy bills is expected on Thursday.

Truss promised to deliver on the energy crisis by "dealing with people's bills and the long-term issue with energy supply", and the Racecourse Association stressed the importance of the matter for British courses.

The Jockey Club, which operates 15 courses and a number of other venues, last month revealed its fixed-price energy deal will come to an end in September and it has predicted an increase in cost of £2.5m next year.

Independent track Kelso has declined a fixed-rate contract of £514,000 covering the next two years, having paid between £35,000 and £40,000 for the last few years.

A RCA spokesperson said: "The RCA welcomes the clarity brought by Liz Truss’s selection as leader of the Conservative party and new prime minister.

"We look forward to working closely with the government on the urgent issues affecting the country and British racing, including support for our racecourses in dealing with escalating energy bills."

Truss, whose South West Norfolk constituency is 20 miles from Newmarket on the boundary, will be officially appointed prime minister by the Queen at Balmoral at midday on Tuesday before returning to Downing Street to make her first speech as prime minister in the afternoon.

Home secretary Priti Patel resigned following the result of the leadership race and senior cabinet appointments are expected to be made on Tuesday evening.

William Hill are offering 8-11 about Keir Starmer becoming prime minister after the next general election, with Truss priced at 5-4 to maintain her position.

Truss is 4-6 with the same firm to spend less time in office than Theresa May, whose 1,106 days in office is the shortest spell of any Conservative prime minister in the last 50 years.

The next general election must take place by January 2025, with Sporting Index pricing up 2024 as 1-3 favourite to be the year of the next poll. 2023 is 5-2, with 20-1 on offer for Truss to call a snap election this year.

Read these next:

What will the appointment of the new PM mean for racing? (Members' Club)

Racing and betting watching for Liz Truss clues with gambling review in limbo (Members' Club)

'Greg is a great asset to racing' – Liz Truss ally's arrival at BHA hailed

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