YOUR readers will recall that in 2006 the Labour Party was planning to introduce a massive US-style gambling complex in Wembley on a site along the main road, Empire Way.

Thank goodness the Liberal Democrats stopped this daft Labour idea.

The Labour government did however relax the gambling laws, and we have had an explosion of betting shops in Wembley and shopping areas across Brent, such as Kilburn, and London. At present the local planning authority has no powers to limit the number of betting shops in any one area as Labour has created a free-for-all.

One of the first things the next government must do is to give local councils the power to set a limit on the number of betting shops in any one area. Only then will councils such as Brent be able to reflect the wishes of local residents.

PETER CORCORAN

Liberal Democrat councillor for Tokyngton