This evening we published an interview with the Pirate Party asking them why the major parties don’t seem interested in esports. Looks like we spoke too soon.
A video interview with Cardiff West Labour MP Kevin Brennan on esports has just emerged, courtesy of gaming centre Talk & Surf, right in time for the general election.
During this chat, Kevin spoke about the sports prowess Cardiff has, such as the Champions League final, and how esports can tap into this.
“I think esports should start to get that kind of recognition,” he said. “I’d like to see a big esports event in Cardiff, it’s a great way to bring people together in a friendly and competitive environment. Get them mingling and making new friends.
“Cardiff is a capital city and we really should have that kind of recognition. I’d like to see a regular esports event in Cardiff and recognition for it.
“We need to recognise esports as a positive force that can bring people together. Gaming is bigger than the music industry, we need to recognise that.”
“I want to encourage esports as it’s something that’s going to grow in the future and become more important.”
Kevin Brennan, Labour
Labour has also pledged a £1 billion Cultural Capital Fund to invest in and upgrade the UK’s cultural facilities, as explained in this article by Music Week.
Kevin also mentioned how esports can help with mental health and be a positive activity, and explained what he’d do if he was reelected.
“I will support the idea of getting esports events in Cardiff, and to do anything I can to try and open some doors to help make that happen,” he added.
“Understandably it’s quite a new thing for a lot venues, they don’t really understand what’s involved and might be put off by having a bunch of gamers coming along, they might not know what they need with their internet facilities… people need assurance.
“What I’d like to do is to be able to help open a few doors to perhaps establish a really good esports event in Cardiff, so that people will regard it as part of the annual calendar of exciting events that take place in our city.
“I want to encourage esports as it’s something that’s going to grow in the future and become more important.”
Our local MP @KevinBrennanMP took a visit to the store today to talk eSports and the future for Cardiff. Big things are looming pic.twitter.com/dCrXa2ZzB8
— Talk And Surf (@TalkSurfGaming) May 6, 2017
How could he improve access to esports, considering the costs involved?
“I’d like to see recognition from the authorities that this can be a positive thing,” Kevin answered.
“This is a really exciting developing community and an activity in other parts of the world that’s starting to generate revenues and spectators.
“Governments need to recognise that and give it the appropriate support in terms of making sure facilities are available for people, regardless of their income and background.
“It’s probably a good time for a report to be prepared officially and look at the economical and social impact they can have.”
Check out the full video interview below:
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
