I KNOW Gordon Marsden, the Labour MP for Blackpool South, is a former editor of History Today but that is no excuse for re-writing history with his statement that "the vast majority of people in Blackpool take the view that this could be of great benefit, but we need to see the detail".

A newspaper survey of 340 residents showed an almost 50/50 split in Blackpool (46.5%/45.9%) for and against resort casinos.

The council's so-called consultation revealed a massive 87% against resort casinos (also 3 to 1 against in e-mail votes). The independent telephone survey commissioned by the Blackpool Challenge Partnership with public funds showed that 59% of those contacted were against or had reservations and only 41% were in favour.

Having lost the vote Councillor Phillip Dunne, who controlled the council's contribution to the debate, then fell back on the well worn get-out that "the silent majority have not expressed their views." If that limp excuse had any validity, then his fellow Labour councillors should resign en masse because not one of them was elected by a majority of those residents entitled to vote.

Gordon Marsden doesn't even consider it worthwhile consulting his constituents. He is against a referendum. That is the only legitimate and democratic way to give all residents the opportunity to have their say in what Councillor Dunne has described as "the most important decision which the town has had to make for the past 100 years."

If the residents don't avail themselves of the opportunity then so be it. At least they will have had the chance to express their own views and not be told them in press statements by spin doctors.

The problem for Gordon Marsden and Blackpool's Labour councillors is that New Labour is no longer the party of equal opportunity. It is the party of spin, influence through contributions to party funds and hypocritical lip service to openness and accountability.

Ken Coups, Chairman, Blackpool 1st Alliance, Blackpool.