From Ilkley Gazette, July 17th, 2019
Written by Claire Lomax
ILKLEY’S MP John Grogan has tabled a motion in the Commons backed by members of the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party calling for matches in all future cricket World Cups and the Women’s Football World Cup to be added to the list of events which by law must be offered to free to air TV.
Mr Grogan said: “I tabled the motion because of two visits I made over the last month - one to Ilkley Football Club where the Women’s and Girls’ teams were full of excitement at the action from the World Cup in France. The other was to a local primary school in Keighley during the early rounds of the cricket World Cup. Very few of the children appeared to know that it was taking place and many had not heard of Yorkshire players like Joe Root. It is sad that the Open Golf Championship which takes place this week is again hidden away on subscription TV . Just like cricket TV audiences have as a result plummeted for golf and participation in the sport is declining. It is surely time for the Government to review the listed events and I am pleased that there is support for this from Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson. “In reality the only way this is likely to happen is if the law is amended and the listed events are expanded.”