Nearly two weeks ago (April 12, 2026) I wrote on The politics of housing supply. That blog focused on the problem the media encounters with housing and its many facets. That blog examined the problem, which encourages trivialisation when reporting on a complex topic and a total inability to look at solutions with legs. As an attempt to grow up, by using the London’s local elections on 7th May this blog, The politics of housing supply (2) I examine the political parties London housing manifestos, (with gratitude to BBC NEWS London correspondents Meghan Owen & Lauren Stanley helpful piece Why should we care about housing in the local elections (23 April 2026) who did the work) in this blog. I will relate the political promises to housing delivery. In short, the party politicos, all in their own insulated silos, deaf to reality or constructive dialogue play their versions of childhood games. Here are their housing promises
Labour; will build the homes London needs- BUT WHERE IF YOU DON’T OWN THE LAND AND HOW IF, AS THE EXPERTS SAY, RED TAPE HAS STOPPED VIABILTY; boost tenant rights- TWO EDGED SWORD HERE, MORE TENANT PROTECTION AND LESS RENTAL SUPPY; reforming planning and leasehold-FORMER IS A GOOD START BUT HIDDEN MINES REMAIN (residents and local vested interests)- leasehold reform- MAY DESTROY A PROVEN ESTATE MANAGEMENT TOOL TO PROTECT THE FUTURE. LOOK AT HISTORY.
Verdict: weak. Good intentions may be blocked.
Conservatives; attack Sadiq Khan- HE IS TRYING TO BUILD IN A DIFFICULT MARKET. WESTMINISTERS CONSERVATIVES DESTROYED STRATEGIC PLANNING IN 2011 BREAKING THE SUPPLY MARKET; prioritise the delivery of family homes- HOW?; focus development on brownfield GOOD.
Verdict: they know how the market acts. They know that Labour’s well intentioned approach is naive and will not work without cross-party support. The know the young are losing out due to past failures but continue to put, even in a local context, party first and London’s future prosperity second.
Green Party; will build the affordable homes needed-HOW WITHOUT CROSSPARTY SUPPORT; end the relationship of councils and suppliers-HOW WILL THE HOMES BE BUILT THEN, WITHOUT COUNCILS OWNING THE LAND! ; push for rent controls- NIL RECOGNITION OF THE IMPACT ON THE SUPPLY OF RENTAL HOMES
Verdict; seriously naive
Liberal Democrats; build more homes-HURRAH BUT HOW WITHOUT CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT.?; ensure homes are accessible to the disabled-THE COST CONSEQUENCES ARE IGNORED; will ensure new homes come with the infrastructure- YES, BUT HOW WITHOUT CROSS- PARTY SUPPORT?
Verdict; they should know better, but apparently do not.
ReformUK; get young Londoners onto the housing ladder-GOOD BUT HOW? NO NEW SUPPLY; remove planning red tape-GOOD, BUT HOW?; prioritise special groups- STILL NO NEW SUPPLY.
Verdict; one more party unwilling to,face reality. They spout good intentions knowing they cannot deliver on their own.
This summary shows two points. Not one of the political parties can, on their own solve London’s housing supply crisis. And not one of them has the integrity to admit this obvious reality. The second point is that in fact all the parties recognise there is a supply problem. The next step surely is they admit the need to work together on a long term solution based on reality.
Ian Campbell
24 April 2026
