Time to be radical. English political parties must work together. Doing so is in the national interest.
In order to deliver the housing and infrastructure we need will take more than one parliament. Which, now the election verdict is in place, means we need all three English political parties to work together to deliver long term housing, growth and infrastructure. Doing so is in the national interest; is the salvation of our children and grandchildrens future prosperity and is a means of firing up economic growth. Why ever not co-operate?
Politicians in Westminster who do not respond to the election outcome are putting their party or their personal profile ahead of the national need. Unfortunately Labour did not say in their manifesto this alliance based policy is their intention. But it is not too late to make this announcement in the House of Commons. It will put both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat’s on the spot whilst the election honeymoon continues. Labour too need to face realities. Their plans cannot happen in five years. You cannot rush place making. It produces little boxes and fails the local pride test.
So it is shame but not a surprise a set-too occurred in the House of Commons last Friday, (19 July) between Angela Rayner, the responsible Minister and shadow housing secretary Kemi Badenoch. This is a poor start by both. Badenoch said the new government will be unable to deliver their target 1.5 million new homes this parliament due, she plainly implied to lack of local support. And as far Badenoch went with her diagnosis she is right. Labour will fail to deliver. Nor did Badenoch say how her party would deliver their 1.6 million homes manifesto promise; did not say how they will work with Labour to deliver the homes both parties agree are needed; and did not say that the Conservatives will use their influence with landowners to co-operate, (perhaps in return for guarantees about full market price being paid, including hope value whenever it exists);which is second missing key ingredient to progress on these three elements: new homes, new infrastructure, and new growth. Once this ‘working together’ alignment is in place a joint approach to local councils with options, growth/no growth/pay rate surcharges or receive rate holidays will take hold as the argument. Here, in the spatial/financial arena, is where the real debate about spatial choices must take place.
But is hoping for an alliance between political parties unrealistic? As it is the only possible way forward in our belligerent protest based society, to solve this problem, where does the growth go, ‘working together’ is inevitable, sooner or later. The default option is stasis. We have had it for a generation. What a mess. Labour are now in power.,They must take the leadership role. They must persuade the new generation of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP’s working together with neighbouring MP’s locally, and through party leaders in Westminster working together is in the national interest, will be a national win/win and that this ‘work together’ priority must precede party and personal priorities. Local communities will see that locally led projects needing long gestation cycles pay dividends. Look at the landed estates. Look at the financial successes of the Commission for New Towns.
By positively adopting this generous, altruistic approach will pay dividends to the opposition parties if, despite their support Labour fail to fulfil their promises. It might also do a lot to mend the broken trust in our political system.
Ian Campbell
23 July 2024
