In run up to Christmas Michal Gove made a written ministerial statement and wrote to MPs with some reassurances, intended to keep the 50+ rebels on board. By way of clarification in his DLUHC statement he added these important words
”If we are to deliver the new homes this country needs, new development must have the support of local communities. That requires people to know it will be beautiful, accompanied by the right infrastructure, approved democratically, that it will enhance the environment and create proper neighbourhoods.
These principles have always been key to our reforms and we are going further by strengthening our commitment to build the right homes in the right places and put local people at the heart of decision- making”.
I for one robustly support these principles. But I am fearful, abundantly fearful. For reasons of a career of experience. For reasons of five decades of local failure. For reasons of evidence void. For reasons of trust. Where is the equally important commitment to resolve local conflicts when they arise? Conflict resolution lies at the heart of local plan making. Protecting the rights of minorities is the core of democracy that endures, locally too. Most of the 50+ rebel MP’s want less housing in their constituencies. In the right places, often in their constituencies where it is necessary to build the right houses in order to eventually make prices and rents again affordable there will be conflict. How will it be resolved?
Behind this omission is there a sincere wish to overcome the housing deficit or a feigned intention to take measures, to buy time, simply to retain power? For example, will the PM and Michael Gove having heard the 50+ now do something unusual? It will require some courage on their part but might even improve their general election prospects! Will they nab good ideas from Gordon Brown’s recent report (see blog 16 Decemeber) for resolving conflict in local areas which threaten government priorities? And in the course of doing something along these lines, also nab the Labour parliamentary vote too?
Making this conflict resolution step government policy would amaze the political centre, and signal a movement away from ideological inflexibility towards a coming-of-age in local and strategic planning that is decades in the making. What an opportunity too for Sir Keir Starmer. Will he spot it, and claim the high ground first?
Ian Campbell
30 December 2022
