Housing is an important local issue in Kirklees so UKIP’s views on housing are interesting.
UKIP have claimed that they offer
something different on housing. However, their representative in Parliament
Douglas Carswell MP has voted with the Tories time after time on the housing
issues that matter most.
On private renting – Labour
recently put forward plans to require all landlords to ensure rented homes are
‘fit for human habitation’, meeting basic standards including being free from
vermin and having working boilers. Yet, these modest plans were voted down by
the Tories – and Douglas Carswell.
On secure homes for council tenants
- Labour tried to stop the Government changing the law to undermine stable
family homes by forcing councils to restrict tenancies to a maximum of five
years. Despite the fact that it was Margaret Thatcher who enshrined this right,
UKIP’s Douglas Carswell again sided with the Conservatives and voted to end
security for council tenants.
On local homes for local people –
UKIP’s manifesto may have promised to prioritise homes for those with a
connection to the area, but when UKIP MP Douglas Carswell had the chance to
vote for Labour’s plans to give local people first dibs on new homes built in
their area, he didn’t turn up.
UKIP talk about offering
something different on housing, but the reality is they just follow wherever
the Conservatives lead.
