The right-to-buy scheme is already causing problems for the government

New communities secretary Greg Clark has the least enviable job in the cabinet: justifying the policy of extending the right-to-buy to housing association tenants. The policy, hastily put together in the early stages of the election campaign, was roundly condemned from across the political spectrum. Dominic Lawson, not a noted socialist, for example pointed out that unlike council homes the state does not own housing association properties and therefore has no right to sell them. It will, in effect, require compulsory purchase – and for the purpose of private gain.

After 24 hours in the sunshine, the right-to-buy policy was hardly mentioned by the Conservatives for the rest of the election campaign. Nevertheless, the government has now decided to go ahead, and will introduce a law in the Queen’s speech.