At last it seems clear the main political parties recognise England has a house deficit problem. It is an important step forward. Taken a decade. Some more far sighted politicians also are beginning to connect the lack of national growth with local resistance to local change. For example the need for a massive boost in electricity supply to fuel the switch to electric cars. The switch simply cannot happen within government deadline. Local resident must recognise that in their area there may be new electric pylons and wind turbines. Affording the far higher cost of putting them underground is a myth.
But there is trouble ahead. . The summons is simple. And it is vital. Facing distress will test Westminster’s maturity. Is Westminster the mother of parliamentary democracy or, perish the thought an immature adolescent? The political parties are full of hope; broadcasting promises that local areas will have more influence on their local, spatial decisions. Which naturally is raising local expectations. More deliberate and understandable pandering to local fears with a general election in the offing will happen. . But each political party is choosing to ignore the bottom line: who decides when there is conflict between national need and local opposition? Resolving conflict is the nub of a democratic system which functions. Our system, here in England is struggling. Resolving the dilemma will need above average leadership. . One fear is this- has the war, democratic deficit v. democratic dictatorship, declared by rural pressure groups in the 1960’s reached a dangerous spike?
Last week (Thursday, 28 September 2023) I listened to Melvyn Bragg’s Radio 4 In our Time broadcast, an examination of John Maynard Keynes 1919 book Economic Consequences of the Peace. An impressive analysis by informed academics into national and continental failure on two levels, timing and spatially. He forecast with canny insight the international poison the Versailles agreement injected by the allies into the German people. It took another two decades to release the volcanic explosion in 1939. I lost my father in that war. Bragg’s analysis of a futile conflict ending in a toxic ordainment renewed a dull pain, not in my stomach, simply in me. It festers.
Where is the link? Think about it, the parallels. The English housing supply market was destroyed in four or five decades. Rebuilding it with local support will need two or three. Power in victory enables dictatorship, power through vested interests enables rule by the wealthy and the rural minority. Spatial control of land uses is fundamental. Reparations is one method of transferring wealth from those without to those with. Simply saying no, again and again is another tack. Of course the label changes over time; living space versus the environment; rescuing isolated, persecuted communities in the East, versus levelling up. How far fetched is the parallel? Or are there any lessons?
Let us keep it simple. Between now and the general election which party will face reality. Who drives the state, Westminster or cacodemonic communities? Affordable house prices, affordable rents, with new urban densities and new rural excellence allied to local support is the game we must play for our children and grandchildren’s future prosperity.
Ian Campbell
2 October 2023
