Clause 28
Greater London Authority Bill
3:15 pm
Michael Gove (Shadow Minister (Housing), Communities and Local Government; Surrey Heath, Conservative)
Far be it from me to accuse anyone of cynicism, and I say to the hon. Gentleman that there are a number of areas where we are happy for that to happen—many more clauses have been allowed to stand part than have been subject to our challenge. I hope that there will continue to be a measure of consensus about some of the proposals, but our concerns are sharpest in respect of the intimate areas where housing and planning mesh. I want to outline a case for ensuring that power remains at the lowest possible level.
I recognise that the hon. Gentleman, who represents part of Wandsworth as Labour Member, might occasionally feel frustrated when he sees what Conservative housing policy has done, how successful it has been in respect of individuals moving from renting to ownership and how successfully Wandsworth has reclaimed property through its hidden homes initiative to provide homes for those who were homeless. He may occasionally bristle at Wandsworth’s success and think, “If only a Labour Mayor were implementing those policies and taking the credit, I could feel happier.” I empathise with him as he looks on enviously at Wandsworth’s success, but I am afraid that the success of Wandsworth and other Conservative boroughs only emphasises the thrust of what I am saying.