Boris Johnson used the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday to set out the policy reform he plans to do now that the pandemic is easing. This was largely centred on attempting to flesh out the ‘level up’ agenda through a focus on skills, industry and planning reform. It’s the latter bill that poses the greatest risk. Already Tory MPs have come out in opposition to what ministers say will be the biggest shake-up of the planning system in over 70 years.
The government hopes the relaxation of the rules will pave the way for a home-building boom that will help it hit its goal of 300,000 new homes per year, ease the current housing crisis and get more young people onto the property ladder. This is viewed as electorally advantageous to the Conservatives given it has long been said that the key to Tory success is a property-owning democracy. It is no coincidence that 86 per cent of current Conservative seats have above-average levels of home ownership, while 70 per cent of Labour seats have below-average levels.
In seats in the commuter belt, Conservative MPs complain that new housing has little electoral gain in the short term
However, not all MPs are convinced – particularly those in traditionally Tory seats in the south.
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