Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins has welcomed the return of the Football Governance Bill to Parliament, praising improvements made by the Labour Government and slamming what she called a “thoroughly disappointing and embarrassing” bid to block the proposals, from the Conservative opposition.
The amendment was tabled by the Conservative opposition and sought to decline giving the Football Governance Bill a second reading — a move that, if successful, would have blocked the Bill from progressing further in Parliament.
Seen as a political gesture, rather than a serious attempt to derail the legislation, the amendment was ultimately unsuccessful, with the Bill securing enough support to continue its passage through the House of Commons. The attempt drew criticism from MPs across the chamber, given the broad cross-party consensus that had previously supported the Bill’s objectives.
Ms Hopkins expressed disbelief at the Conservative opposition’s amendment declining to give the Bill a second reading, criticising Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew for backtracking despite having previously served on the Bill Committee.
“I was therefore gobsmacked when I heard the thoroughly disappointing and embarrassing amendment… to decline to give the Bill a Second Reading,” she said in the House of Commons, adding: “It is fundamentally the same Bill with just a few changes, and I do not understand why he does not support them.”
Hopkins paid tribute to former Conservative MP Dame Tracey Crouch for her work on the original fan-led review, which she said had enjoyed cross-party consensus before the latest Tory move to block the Bill.
Praising the returning Bill, Ms Hopkins said it was essential to protect the future of English football, describing the sport as “more than a business” and “a pillar of local and national identity”.
“Football would be nothing without its fans, and this strengthened Football Governance Bill will put fans firmly back at the centre of the game,” she said.
Ms Hopkins pointed to years of “financial instability” and “reckless spending” that have put clubs and communities at risk, referencing the collapse of Bury FC, the Covid-19 pandemic and the failed European Super League as key triggers for the fan-led review that led to the Bill’s creation.
She hailed the Labour Government’s move to reintroduce and improve the legislation “without delay” and said the Bill would “ensure that English football is sustainable for the benefit of fans and the local communities that football clubs serve”.
The Bill proposes the creation of an independent football regulator, with three central aims: club financial soundness, systemic financial resilience and the safeguarding of club heritage. Hopkins described the model as a “light-touch regulator” with “pretty standard” functions.
Among the improvements introduced under Labour, Ms Hopkins highlighted new measures requiring clubs to engage with supporters on ticket prices and stadium relocation plans, as well as the removal of a requirement for the regulator to consider Government foreign and trade policy.
She also welcomed plans for clubs to “democratically elect fan representatives” and urged “a clear commitment to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within the game”.
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