Whilst supporting Poll Toynbee's enthusiasm both to endorse inclusions in
the Labour manifesto like "a minimum wage of more than £8 an hour, or no cuts to
tax credits", and to describe the election as one where there has "rarely been
starker political choice", I find it strange that no criticism was offered of
the feeble proposal regarding private rents. (Puzzled by the manifestos? The
Tories and Labour have swapped clothes, 14/04/15) With the opinion polls
showing the party roughly level with the Tories, an opportunity to gain
important extra votes appears to be being scorned.
With millions living in rented accommodation, often in squalid and
unhealthy conditions, and often paying 40% or more of their disposable income in
extortionate rent, a Labour pledge for a "clamp on rent rises" seems totally
inadequate. Wouldn't a more worthwhile suggestion from a party desperate for
votes be for all matters relating to renting and owning property to be placed
under the auspices of a Ministry of Housing, which would be given
responsibility for inspecting all rented accommodation. Depending on size,
condition and locality, all such property could be placed in bands, similar to
council tax ones, with the appropriate level of rent set by the government. The
same rules would apply to student accommodation as well, thereby giving young
people an extra incentive to vote Labour.
It would also provide another reason for all fair minded voters to remove
from government the parties which have disgracefully allowed this recent form of
Rachmanism to flourish. They will not forget, either, what happened the last
time a Tory government promised to replace sold council houses "with a more
affordable, cheaper property on a one-for one-for basis"; it simply didn't
happen, and Labour must ensure everyone remembers! (Conservative manifesto to
offer 1.3m families right to buy housing association homes,14/04/15)
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