Angela Rayner shoots herself within the foot as bitter Michael Gove assault backfires

Mar 24, 2024 at 8:24 PM
Angela Rayner shoots herself within the foot as bitter Michael Gove assault backfires

Angela Rayner took to social media to blast Housing Secretary Michael Gove after his flagship reforms of England’s leasehold system had been axed. She tweeted a Sunday Times article which detailed how the Government was quietly U-turning on Mr Gove’s leasehold reforms.

Ms Rayner, additionally the shadow housing secretary, posted: “This newest dithering from the Government on leasehold reform within the face of Tory infighting is yet one more signal that Rishi Sunak is simply too weak to ship for working individuals. Over to you @michaelgove.”

However, Ms Rayner’s jab rapidly backfired and left the shadow deputy PM humiliated when Times Radio’s political editor Kate McCann intervened.

McCann identified that, throughout her interview that morning with Anneliese Dodds, the Chair of the Labour Party refused to decide to abolishing the leasehold system.

The Times Radio host responded: “I asked Anneliese Dodds whether Labour would get rid of leasehold on our @TimesRadio show earlier and did not get a straight answer.”

It is unclear whether or not or how Labour will comprehensively reform the leasehold system

Ms Rayner has lengthy championed a promise to radically reform the leasehold system.

Back in November, the senior Labour determine reiterated her plan to “fix” the leasehold system.

She mentioned: “We will not duck the difficult issues as the Tories have.

“We would abolish no-fault evictions and fix the broken leasehold system once and for all.”

Her unique submit on X, previously often known as Twitter, this morning additionally drew reward from housing activists.

Free Leaseholders mentioned: “Thank you @AngelaRayner for having our again.

“10 million leaseholders are looking to @UKLabour for liberation from an unjust system that keeps us as serfs to rent-seekers, middlemen and extortionists.

“Please guarantee radical leasehold and commonhold reform is within the manifesto.”

It is believed that Mr Gove’s plans to reform the leasehold system was axed amid fears from the Treasury and Downing Street.

According to the Sunday Times, there have been considerations that the transfer would wipe £40bn off pension fund funding.

There are about ten million leaseholders in England and Wales, who personal the appropriate to occupy their house however the constructing or land is owned by a freeholder landlord.

This leaves some leaseholders trapped by floor rents that are rising consistent with the retail costs index price of inflation, costing them hundreds of kilos a yr.

Mr Gove had deliberate to cut back all floor rents to zero within the hope that it might encourage landlords to promote the freehold to leaseholders, resulting in a gradual phasing out of the system.