A Labour MP who is vehemently against government plans to extend Right to Buy to social housing tenants has said that the “inevitable logic” is to give private tenants the same right to acquire their home at a discount.
Steve Pound, MP for Ealing North, said in a debate in Parliament: “Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the tragedies and sadnesses of this Queen’s Speech is the ludicrous attack on housing associations, which amounts to nationalisation followed by liquidation through sequestration?
“Does she agree that the inevitable logic, if the Government wish to extend home ownership, is to extend this to private tenancies – and see what private landlords have to say?”
Pound interrupted shadow CLG minister Emma Reynolds who was speaking about housing.
She responded: “I am not entirely sure that I agree with everything my hon. Friend has just said, but I will say this: the real test for any of the housing policies put forward by this Government is whether they ease or deepen the housing crisis, and from what we have seen so far, they are failing that test.”
@Kevin H, I am not sure of the protocols in Westminster but suggest you put your hand up and let them know you do have some experience in property matters and are well respected for what you know and have achieved. I am not sure they will listen but at least you’ve offered to help.
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If extending home ownership is really what it’s all about, then the logic behind giving private tenants the same right to buy is inescapable. In fact, you could argue that they are even more entitled to a state subsidy than housing association tenants, since they are paying market rents. But the Conservatives will never do it, of course.
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