Gambling/General : Tessa Jowell keeps her Strategy

Tessa Jowell has refused to respect the ultimatum from MPs and peers over her plans for 17 new casinos, despite a late Tory decision to vote alongside Labour rebels and the Liberal Democrats in the Commons and the Lords this week.

The Culture Secretary is meeting with Labour peers in an effort to assure that the Government's plans are not dropped out on Wednesday afternoon. Gordon Brown slapped a £100 million tax on the industry in last week's Budget.

But Tessa maintains her position regarding the idea of casino expansion. This, while the Liberal Democrats have already said they will vote against and rebel Labour MPs and peers are ready to follow suit. Now Tessa Jowell is in the position of losing all her entire casino strategy, which she's been pushing for the past seven years.