I would have preferred a low-key meeting but journalists spotted Manchester MPs Tony Loyd and Graham Stringer walking out of Downing Street.  As is often the case they put two and two together to make five (better be careful about offending journalists over their numeracy standards or they might take issue with my spelling again) and then pursued us and our colleagues by telephone, email and in person, until they gleaned enough information to get a headline.

The crux of the matter is bringing 3,000 jobs to East Manchester, jobs that are vital to the quality of life among local people. I've asked for this meeting with the Prime Minister because there seems to be no progress on our plans to create a Leisure City, anchored by an international destination casino. Twelve months ago an independent panel recommended that Manchester should be granted permission to licence the only British regional casino following a rigorous inspection and examination process. But the project has been stalled by controversy including sour losers, inaccurate information, a vote in the unelected House of Lords and then a Government review. In the intervening months we have been able to strengthen the social responsibility part of our case and can demonstrate clearly that a well-run and regulated casino will not increase problem gambling. Equally we have shown that no other proposal would bring this number of jobs, jobs that are accessible to local people, to this part of the city.

So today - in the midst of urgent Government business and particularly the international situation in the Middle East - it was good to get the Prime Minister's personal attention and to explain to him the essential importance of those jobs. The Commonwealth Games in 2002 kick-started tremendous investment but five years on, we need to sustain that, and to build on the assets already in the area. A project that increased visitor numbers as well as bringing jobs for local people would fit exactly.

We'll carry on pushing for progress. Watch this space.