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Labour’s house building hypocrisy

The imminent departure of Labour’s communications team appears to have done little to galvanise its flagging social media game. Party staffers yesterday released a new campaign graphic on Twitter, labelling the government’s proposed liberalisation of planning laws a ‘Developers’ charter’ accompanied by the old jibe at ‘Tory party donors.’ 

Some online were quick to point out the cynicism of such a move, coming just three days after the party’s poor performance in Chesham and Amersham, in which the Liberal Democrats quoted Tory grandees denouncing the plans. Others noted that the image in question is of Little Barrington where average house prices start at £1.6 million, which could be something to do with the current planning laws.

Unfortunately just north of the border, Scottish Labour appeared to have not got the memo about Keir Starmer’s stance on planning liberalisation, tweeting just four hours before that ‘thousands of first-time buyers’ have been ‘frozen out of the housing market.’

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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