Poker Anorak / Editor / 27 March 2008 /

WHEN Manchester was told it would host the new supercasino there was much snapping of braces and popping of bottle tops.

When the Government decided that there would no supercasino in Manchester there was much gnashing of teeth and popping of veins.

It all added up to a whole lot of nothing (other than paperwork, work for politicos and hot air).

The Government detailed shrill Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears, the MP for Salford, to investigate alternatives to the gambling plans.

The Manchester Evening News says Blears told MPs in the Commons that public agencies should offer their help.

Says Blears: "If any of these agencies decide to relocate their staff north, we will be supportive of Manchester council and its partners in maximising the benefits of east Manchester. We must learn the lessons from this work with Manchester so other cities can advance their regeneration plans."

It's brilliant example of non-governing Government. The Government gives with one hand, takes with the other and then appeals to other agencies to help the poor people of Manchester.

Ms Blears is still talking: "The government is committed to regeneration in Manchester and the group exists to coordinate this task. The aim is to generate an equivalent number of jobs to those a casino could have delivered."

And since you can only have just so many traffic wardens, the appeal is for other government agencies to relocate to Manchester (only these are not new agencies. If they move it means jobs will be leaving other regions).

But - hang on! - news just in is that Manchester has won.

Ms Blears says a Biomedical Research Centre is to be created in Manchester, "ensuring that the city becomes a leading player in genetics and stem cell treatment".

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