I WANT my slice of the cake and don't try to tell me that I am not bloody well entitled to it. If Blackpool is going to become some gambling Mecca or an American satellite resort, then I want my cut. I've got half a million pounds worth of investment in this town and my wife and I have worked too hard for too long to see it flushed away in some money-making scheme that will not include us.

It may take a few years to effect major changes here, but just the rumour and uncertainty of change will damage my interests. It won't be very long before property prices are affected once again and a knock-on from that will be to place yet another line of fence between me and my bank manager. Don't believe me? Well try for a loan.

I can't afford to listen to the hype from big businesses who stand to grow a fantastic money tree if this idea works and they will want all the fruit for themselves.

They have and will continue to tell me that I can survive and prosper if I ride along, but I simply can't believe them.

They've had a fact-finding trip to America and they are going to tell me of the wonders I can expect when they follow the lead of places like Atlantic City.

They will tell me that since gambling went there that it has gone from rags to riches, when in real time it is still in rags but with the addition of casinos to muddy the water.

They will tell me of the millions of people they will bring to Blackpool, each one with a pocket stuffed full of money, but I bet they won't want me to get at it.

They will tell me they are going to invest in my town for my benefit, but will that be before or after I go under?

They can have as many fact-finding trips as they want, although I resent them getting public funding when all I get when I ask for similar money is contempt, but will they tell me the whole truth?

No, of course they won't. They will only tell me what they want me to know.

Will they help me to cope with the changes? Of course they will as long as it doesn't cost them anything. Just remember the cynic's adage, "Believe nothing they say and only half of what they do."