The future leadership of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is hanging in the balance following an unexpected turn of events in the recent election. Thangam Debbonaire, who was appointed by Labour leader Keir Starmer to serve as shadow secretary of state for DCMS, lost her Bristol Central seat in a surprising defeat to the Green Party. Carla Denyer of the Green Party triumphed with 24,539 votes, leaving Debbonaire behind with 14,132 votes.
Debbonaire’s defeat comes despite Labour’s sweeping victory, which saw them secure a significant majority in Parliament. Appointed to the shadow DCMS role only last September, Debbonaire had served as Member of Parliament for Bristol West since 2015. This constituency became Bristol Central after boundary changes were implemented earlier this year, redefining the political landscape and contributing to the shocking electoral outcomes.
In an interesting twist, Lucy Frazer, the Conservative incumbent DCMS secretary, also lost her Ely and East Cambridge seat. Frazer was narrowly defeated by Charlotte Cane of the Liberal Democrats, rounding out a night of seismic shifts in political power and raising further uncertainty about the future leadership of the DCMS.
The electoral shake-up has sparked widespread speculation about potential successors and strategic changes within the department. Questions abound: will Starmer opt to appoint a direct replacement for Debbonaire or take a radically different approach to leadership within the DCMS?
George McGregor, the executive director for the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (Bacta), weighed in on the situation. He speculated that Debbonaire could still play a crucial role, possibly transitioning to the House of Lords. “There is a possibility she may be put into the House of Lords and become the secretary of state from the lords,” McGregor suggested, offering a potential pathway that keeps Debbonaire in the fold of DCMS leadership.
McGregor also broached the concept of a structural reorganization within DCMS, possibly splitting the gambling portfolio into a distinct unit. Currently, Stephanie Peacock, the shadow gambling minister, retains her seat in Barnsley South and could take on an expanded role. However, McGregor warned this could lead to delays in implementing key reforms from the Gambling Act review, leaving significant initiatives in a state of limbo.
. “If you get two new people, a new secretary of state for culture and a new gambling minister, everything could be put on pause for another few months or years,” he cautioned.
Adding to this delicate balance, the pre-election period saw a raft of land-based gambling reform announcements. Key measures included a revised 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in bingo halls and arcades, and the lifting of the prohibition on debit card payments for machines. These reforms are considered pivotal for the retail sector, and stakeholders are eager to see swift action under the new government.
McGregor emphasized the necessity of these changes, particularly after what many in the gambling industry see as a prolonged period of stagnation. “We’re asking for an increase in stakes and prizes just to catch up with inflation. Nothing more, nothing less. So that’s another one of our asks for an incoming Labour government,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Bacta hopes that Labour will maintain its recent support for land-based reforms. McGregor pointed out the broad-based cross-party backing for various measures before the election and expressed optimism that this momentum would carry forward. “It’d be rather curious if you had cross-party support in June for a set of measures and then in July, when they get into government, they say they’re not interested anymore,” he noted. The expectation is that Labour will continue to drive progress on the deregulation of cashless transactions and adult gaming centers.
As the dust settles from the election, all eyes will be on how Keir Starmer navigates the unfolding scenario. Whether through strategic appointments or structural changes, the DCMS will play a crucial role in the months and years to come. The industry stakeholders and the British public alike await clarity on the future direction of one of the most dynamic departments in government.
