2 October 2008

Lapdancing Association criticises 'knee jerk' policy making

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The Lap Dancing Association today reacted to the Home Secretary’s speech to the Labour party conference, in which she said the Government would act to “give communities a stronger say in stopping lap-dancing clubs opening in their areas.”

 

Kate Nicholls, Secretary of the LDA, said:

 “This is the worst example of knee-jerk policy making by the Government. Jacqui Smith hasn’t even attempted to listen let alone try to understand the complexities that exist in the debate surrounding lap dancing clubs. Instead, without consulting with the industry itself, she has simply reacted to the noise generated by a campaign from a particularly vociferous group of people on a moral crusade.

 
“Local authorities already possess the powers necessary to regulate lap dancing clubs, under the 2003 Licensing Act. What the Government should be doing is advising councils how to better understand and use those existing powers provided which not only allow councils to consult with residents in an affected area, but also to define what that area is.
 

“Jacqui Smith might claim that local authorities need new powers to deal with this issue, but the reality is that there are only around 150 lap dancing clubs out in England and Wales. Given the current turmoil they are facing, it is surprising that this tops the Government’s priority list.”

From: Night Online

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