The election of a Labour government for a third successive term today has received a mixed reaction from leisure industry leaders.

The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) said that the re-election will provide continuity within the public health agenda, particularly as many of the FIA’s key contacts have regained their parliamentary seats.

A spokesperson said: “We are confident about continuing our strong dialogue with government and now eagerly await the outcome of the reshuffle, in particular the replacement of health minister Melanie Johnson, who lost her seat in the election.

“The FIA is committed to building new relationships and raising our profile with government.”

Meanwhile, the British Hospitality Association (BHA), highlighted a number of key issues it believes need to be addressed by the re-elected government, including the reduction of what it claims is “unnecessary” governmental bureaucracy.

Chief executive, Bob Cotton, said: “The most important priority for the incoming government, from the industry’s point of view, is to maintain economic stability so that businesses can continue to grow and prosper.

“More specifically, future investment will be threatened unless the government recognises that the constant flood of new regulations and red tape costs employers too much time and money. We need fewer regulations – not more of them.”

The BHA also drew attention to the need for more public funding for tourism marketing body VisitBritain and said that government should realise this would be an investment.

According to the BHA, VisitBritain’s total grant-in-aid – which has remained at £35m for seven years – needs a significant increase if VisitBritain is to meet the government’s £100bn turnover target for the industry by 2010.

The London 2012 Olympic bid team declined to comment on the election results and whether Labour’s continuation in government was a boost to the campaign, but reaffirmed it has received cross-party backing, with all main parties stressing their support the Olympic bid in their election manifestos.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is currently considering his cabinet and although no announcements have yet been made, it is thought that secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell, and sports minister, Richard Caborn, are likely to remain in their positions at least until the announcement in July of the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games. Details: www.number-10.gov.uk