Andy Burnham and Harriet Harman yesterday reflected on the importance of sport in the policy arena in an event hosted by the Sport and Recreation Alliance in the House of Commons. Chaired by Andy Reed both Mr Burnham and Ms Harman shared their thoughts on sporting policy in the period of Labour's 13 years in power and also the Coalition's approach to sporting policy. It was noted that the opportunity has been given to the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives to partake and express their thoughts in future meetings of this nature.

Andy Burnham noted how sport should be an 'easy win' for government but we currently sit 21st in the European league table in physical activity (and would be bottom of our group at Euro 2012 if it were measured like this!) For him, the Dept of Health should be the place to start thinking about a physical activity and sporting agenda as this is the area where the 'biggest returns' would be felt.

He outlined many of the successes and some of the failures of the Labour years with regard to sporting policy and asserted that where Labour believed the current government was correct, they would support, but where they were wrong they would challenge, a point backed up by Harriet Harman. He criticised the abandoning of the participation targets by 2013 of the Coalition and pressed the importance of the media in providing a more positive agenda for women's sport. He asserted 2012 is the best chance we will ever have for a sporting policy agenda and we cannot let the opportunity pass.

Harriet Harman outlined how sport can be part of the answer to the austerity measures currently being taken and not simply the first area which should have cuts as is often the case. She reminded those present of the value of sport to the economy (around £18.3bn according to BISL) and that in Loughborough it was clear that they understood the importance of sport in society from her visit there recently.

She spoke about the recent lucrative deal for the Premier League and praised the league's success, but also pressed home the urgency to make sure the benefits are felt by ordinary fans with regard to ticket prices and clubs in debt. She also illustrated the importance of not being complacent with regard to racism in football.

Finally she asserted the importance of women's sport and the fact that sport should be a family policy with parental support on the touchline for children as a way to bring families closer together.

The reflections of Mr Burnham and Ms Harman were followed by a brief discussion with the attendees.