The housing crisis is putting pressure on the Labour party, forcing them into planning disputes. The shadow housing minister recently objected to the construction of high-rise flats in his constituency, highlighting the challenges that Keir Starmer will face as he aims to build 1.5 million new homes.
Heavenly Tucker, a 26-year-old cafe manager, has been waiting for over two years to find her own home. Every Wednesday, she logs on to Greenwich council's housing website to bid on available properties, but her chances are slim. Living with her mother, Tucker is single and without dependents, making her a low priority for social housing. Renting privately would cost her £1,300 a month, which is unaffordable even with her two jobs.
The housing crisis is a pressing issue that Labour cannot ignore. As they strive to fulfill their promise of building 1.5 million new homes, they will inevitably face challenges and conflicts in the planning process. The dilemma of balancing the need for more housing with the concerns of local communities is a tough one that Labour will have to navigate carefully.