The law on lap-dancing clubs is to be changed, thanks to the hard work of Hove and Portslade MP Celia Barlow.

Up until now, lap dance clubs could be treated in the same way as ballet schools and cafes; not as sex shops and sex cinemas. 

The decision was announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith during Labour Party Conference this afternoon.  

Heralding the news, Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Equalities Minister told Labour Party Conference that it was thanks to Celia Barlow and two other female MPs that the law has been changed.  

Ms Harman stated: "They have been saying if local communities don't want it then councils should be able to refuse them a licence, and that's what we will do."

Celia Barlow MP said: “I am delighted that the Government has acted decisively to change the law. I have been fighting for this for two years and it is great that the people of Hove and Portslade started the campaign. This change gives local people the right to choose whether they want sex establishments in their community.”

Ms Barlow started that campaign after a local pub, The Portland Hotel, applied for a license for exotic dancing. She joined with local residents, teachers and churches in a demonstration this year and spoke at the Brighton and Hove Council’s Licensing Panel. 

Although the battle was won locally, Ms Barlow decided that local people needed legal powers to make sure that people have a direct say over their local community and took the fight to Parliament.

Celia Barlow and Cllr Gill Mitchell, Leader of Brighton & Hove’s Labour Group, had meetings with Government Ministers which led to a national consultation in which the Council took part.   

When making the announcement, the Home Secreatry also hit out at the Conservatives, for giving their conference delegates lap-dance vouchers in their Party Conference packs. 

Ms Smith stated: “I want to know what the Tories have to say for themselves, after sending all their conference delegates a £10 off voucher to one of these clubs”