Thousands protest Tory Housing Bill

Stuart King from South London Left Unity reports

Housing demo 30.1.16Around two thousand tenants and housing activists marched on Saturday 30 January against the Tories’ Housing Bill. Called by Lambeth Unite Community branch, Lambeth Housing Activists and various other groups, Unite members and housing activists had distributed thousands of leaflets around council housing estates in Lambeth explaining the Tory plans.

The leaflets explained how the Tory Housing Bill will force local authorities and Housing Associations to sell “high value properties” when they become vacant. Experience of the Thatcher years shows that almost two thirds of council house sales ended up in the hands of private buy to let landlords in London. The Bill also introduces a pay-to-stay tax if a household earns more than ?40,000. Council tenancies will be reduced to last between 2-5 years.

Various housing community struggles were represented like the Cressingham Gardens Estate group battling with Lambeth Council which wants to demolish their homes and Central Hill estate involved in a similar struggle. Lambeth tenants and activists were joined by others from Southwark and Lewisham and from across north London.

Housing ladderAs a result a Southwark Labour councillor speaker received a rough ride. Hecklers challenged him repeatedly about a series of evictions of protestors at the Aylesbury Estate. This estate is being torn down by a partnership of Southwark Council and Notting Hill Housing Trust (NHHT). NHHT is one of a new breed of housing associations turned property developers, who specialise in knocking down council housing and replacing them with shared ownership private homes or apartments at “affordable rent”, that is up to 80% of private sector rents. Its Chief Exec, Kate Davies – pay ?205,000 a year – is on record as saying that “council estates are ghettos of needy people? and that ?private ownership is preferable to state provided solutions”!

Not to be outdone the leader of Lambeth Council Lib Peck, member of the right-wing Progress group in the Labour Party, also turned up on the march. Peck also has a record of evicting tenants and destroying housing co-ops that ran short life properties in Lambeth. Virtually of these have now been sold at auction to the private sector. Her council also has plans to demolish three local council estates. Most of the residents will be dispersed and only allowed back with higher rents and shorter tenancies. Many estimate that at least 50-60% of the units “built for rent” will end up with private sector landlords.

Moving off to chants of “Social Housing is a right, here to stay here to fight”, the march proceeded across Westminster bridge to rally outside one of David Cameron’s many homes at 10 Downing Street.

More pictures of the march can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/476032432500896/



Left Unity is active in movements and campaigns across the left, working to create an alternative to the main political parties.

About Left Unity   Read our manifesto

Left Unity is a member of the European Left Party.

Read the European Left Manifesto  

ACTIVIST CALENDAR

Events and protests from around the movement, and local Left Unity meetings.

ongoing
Just Stop Oil – Slow Marches

Slow marches are still legal (so LOW RISK of arrest), and are extremely effective. The plan is to keep up the pressure on this ecocidal government to stop all new fossil fuel licences.

Sign up to slow march

Saturday 9th March: national march for Palestine

National demonstration.

Ceasefire NOW! Stop the Genocide in Gaza: Assemble 12 noon Hyde Park Corner to the US Embassy

Full details

More events »

GET UPDATES

Sign up to the Left Unity email newsletter.

CAMPAIGNING MATERIALS

Get the latest Left Unity resources.

Leaflet: Support the Strikes! Defy the anti-union laws!

Leaflet: Migration Truth Kit

Broadsheet: Make The Rich Pay

More resources »