The statements this week by the Prime Minister, and a day later by leader of the Labour Party suggest both favour more local control. Which is good. On Wednesday Sir Keir Starmer put his finger on it, saying devolution is an opportunity to move past the short term mindset and the sticking plaster politics of Westminster.
Unfortunately both fail the acid test. England has a chronic housing supply problem, we know. Housing supply policy failure over decades is a symptom of the enduring conflict between local priorities and those at the centre. Resolving this question, by acknowledging it exists and spelling out how these planning conflicts will be answered is the gauge by which their general election manifestos can be weighed.
It is plain the Tories do not have an answer. At least not yet. After 12 years of housing failure, it is difficult to remain hopeful. Right now the PM and his friend Michael Gove are in the driving seat. It is hot, and as anger builds the heat below will build. Will they be principled in their approach, or look for another box of sticking plasters? Let’s wait and see.
Sir Keir Starmer has also ducked. And his cop-out is despite the advice from Gordon Brown that a mechanism is needed, with ideas for how. Nor is he in the hot seat. So his behaviour is at least as disappointing. Is it an insight into his leadership embryo? Again, we must wait and see.
Ian Campbell
7 January 2023
