Golden age

The launch of the new London Labour Housing Group has inspired Labour Party members in the capital to get involved in campaigning against the Tory-led government’s housing cuts and developing new policies for the mayoral election in 2012, the borough elections in 2014, and the next general election when it comes. 

The golden legacy left by Ken Livingstone - a powerful planning framework to deliver new development, virtually a new city being built in the Thames Gateway, and the highest level of funding for affordable housing in the capital’s history – is being frittered away by the combination of Boris Johnson’s complacency and the government’s huge cuts in investment and housing benefit support for people on low incomes.

Labour Housing Group - a socialist society affiliated to the Labour Party and open to any Labour Party member - has worked behind the scenes on Labour housing policy since 1981.  In setting up the new London group, LHG wants to provide a focus for campaigning on housing issues in the capital over the next few years. The response to the new group has been especially strong in outer London.  As it develops, London LHG will make strong links with tenants and other groups working to oppose the direction of government policy. 

In addition to campaigning, London LHG’s role will be to help develop housing policies for Labour, to make them relevant to people stuck on housing waiting lists or finding it impossible to get on the housing ladder.  Housing is also key to a successful economy, because London’s workers need places to live but also because the vitally important construction sector is taking a big hit at present.

Steve Hilditch is a housing consultant who helped set up the London Labour Housing Group. You can read more of his views at the Red Brick blog