Gove’s commentary here - development veto notwithstanding - shows how important homeownership is generally considered in right-of-centre circles. Of course, this was the same Michael Gove who, at the launch event of centre-right think tank Onward’s “Future of Conservatism” project in February, told attendees: “we must do more to bring us closer to a sustainable housing settlement where young people - including those currently without capital - grow up in houses and neighbourhoods that are safe, decent and beautiful, and where it is a realistic hope to own their home”. The intervention marked the first time the housing secretary has blocked a decision based on the aesthetics of the development and arguably sums up the Conservative party’s approach to housing in recent months. Nor will a recent move from housing secretary Michael Gove, who personally intervened to block a new development in Kent because it was too “generic”. The Conservatives have for years declared they would transform “generation rent” into “generation buy”, but the reversion to a policy that is almost a decade old will delight few. In fact, the government’s ambition of 300,000 new homes a year for England, writ in the 2019 manifesto, has now been adopted by Labour in a move plainly intended to highlight the Conservative party’s construction shortcomings.Īs for Sunak’s housing policy, the government is reportedly attempting to resurrect the Cameron-era Help to Buy scheme. It was a reply that leaves the housing issue wide open for Labour - and Sir Keir intends to take advantage. Now he wants to impose top-down housing targets, he wants to concrete over the greenbelt and ride roughshod over local communities”. Replying to Sir Keir’s housing assault at PMQs on Wednesday, Sunak affirmed: “I promised to put local people in control of new housing and I’m proud that that’s what I’ve delivered within six weeks of becoming prime minister. But while the prime minister’s “unite or die” message may have whipped the Conservative party into shape, Villiers’ NIMBYism remains a defining creed in the government’s approach to housebuilding. Of course, Sunak’s control over his MPs has improved markedly since November. Sunak duly gave way in an episode that summed up for many the PM’s weak grip on his parliamentary party. But the prime minister, faced with a revolt of more than 100 MPs led by former Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers, was accosted with a hostile amendment which would have stripped the legislation of any mandatory, centrally-set housing targets. In November, No 10 vowed to make good on the Conservative party’s 2019 manifesto promise with the proposal to build 300,000 homes a year in England as part of the government’s flagship levelling up bill. MDU appoints criminal law specialist to head legal teamįollowing a consistent trend with the Labour leader’s political strategy, the new emphasis on house building is - in part - designed to exploit perceived Conservative vulnerability. Sir Keir also told the Observer newspaper over the weekend that he wants Labour “to be the party of home ownership”, promising to make “tough decisions” and be “bold”. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, the Labour leader vowed to “take on the NIMBYs” (or Not-in-my-back-yarders who oppose new development) adding “We need to get the target back, to show strength and build out of the damage the PM has inflicted on the country”. Housing is fast emerging as a key political fault line in British politics, signalled by Sir Keir amping up his anti-NIMBYism in recent days. “His councillors simply don’t want to build the houses local people need”, Starmer said, stating that the prime minister should “stop blaming everyone else and just build some houses instead”. Or that was the focus of Sir Keir Starmer’s questioning, at least, during PMQs on Wednesday afternoon, as the Labour leader clashed with Rishi Sunak ahead of the local elections today. To build, or not to build, that is the question. ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor The Conservative party’s embrace of NIMBYism under Sunak creates opening for Labour The opinions in .uk's Comment section are those of the author. Home Ownership / House Building / Keir Starmer / Rishi Sunak
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