Politicians are shaped by the times in which they serve. For those of us in local government during the past decade, austerity has been the defining feature of our tenure.
In the early days of public spending constraint, many made apocalyptic predictions about what it would mean for councils and the communities they serve. The challenge has of course been great and we’ve been forced to take some very difficult decisions. But thanks to creativity, innovation and good old-fashioned financial management we’ve defied expectations. And public satisfaction with local councils is higher now than in 2008.
But what does all this mean in a new political era characterised by the rise of populism and the mainstreaming of radical politics? If local government is anything to go by, we are witnessing a clash between the politics of pragmatism and the politics of ideology the like of which hasn’t been seen for 35 years.
During the past 12 months I’ve seen this first hand in the febrile political debate around Haringey’s proposed development vehicle (HDV), a public-private partnership that would enable the delivery of thousands of much-needed new homes and jobs.
I also feel it is important to call out the political bullying and sexism that have defined the past two years
Everyone knows that London is in the grip of a housing crisis. In Haringey, this manifests itself in the 3,000 families in temporary accommodation and 9,000 on the housing waiting list.
Small-scale solutions will not produce enough homes to tackle the crisis. That’s why, following extensive and careful discussion of all possible options, councillors in Haringey chose in 2015 to set up a joint venture to match private sector expertise and capital with public sector assets and land. I remain convinced that this is the right approach, but it will now be for a new council administration to sign the legal agreement establishing the HDV. Earlier this week I announced my intention to step down as council leader in May. After nearly 10 years in the role, I feel the time is right to move on. But I also feel it is important to call out the political bullying and sexism that have defined the past two years.
In the wake of the campaign waged against the HDV by Momentum, the grassroots leftwing political movement, you could be forgiven for thinking this is an issue of grave community concern. Residents certainly care deeply about their homes and their neighbourhoods, but there has been no community outcry. Instead, it is elements on the left of the Labour party that have become obsessed with this issue. Despite our best efforts, it has been impossible to have an open discussion about the nature of the housing problem and the solutions open to us. I have been shouted down, booed, hissed at and, most offensively, accused of ethnic and social “cleansing”. When Labour members tell the media and the party’s ruling National Executive Committee that the community is up in arms, they conflate the party with the community.
Next Wednesday, the left has called a demonstration at our council meeting. Following the intervention of the NEC, they see this as an opportunity to halt the HDV once and for all. But what would they replace it with? Council housing? It has a role to play, but in the past two years alone, despite most boroughs restarting their building schemes, there has been a net loss of 3,500 council homes as Right to Buy sales far outstrip modest council building programmes. Community land trusts? A great idea, but to date the largest in the capital has delivered just 23 homes.
Political honesty is desperately needed, along with an understanding that successes and failures can be found in both the public and private sectors. Effective partnerships must sit at heart of the solution.
The writer is leader of Haringey council
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