Wednesday 31 January 2018

Return of Rachmanism

Robert Booth`s report on the appalling conditions endured by thousands of private tenants, "so squalid they are likely to leave them needing medical attention", is yet another indictment against a government claiming to care about the people it is meant to represent, and the "burning injustices" it pledged to remove (Hundreds of thousands at risk in squalid rented homes, 29/01/18). It is worth reminding readers that Conservative MPs two years ago voted against proposed new rules requiring private sector landlords "to ensure their properties were fit for human habitation", with the then local government minister, Marcus Jones, claiming the proposal would result in "unnecessary regulation and cost to landlords" (Tories reject move to ensure rented homes fit for human habitation, 12/01/16).
     To no one`s surprise, it later emerged that 72 of the MPs who voted against Labour`s amendment were themselves landlords. I trust the Labour candidates standing in those 72 constituencies in the next general election will let the voters know how their MPs voted. Booth`s report proves "rogue landlordism" is rife; successive governments have done too little to prevent tenants` exploitation, with the inevitable result - the return of "Rachmanism"!

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