The UK Prime Minister announced the construction of one million new houses, though the Conservative Party’s fate at the elections seems sealed.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak pledged the construction of 1 million homes in the countryside in a Monday speech. Sunak is the head of the Conservative Party, the UK’s major political force together with the Labour Party.
"Today I can confirm that we will meet our manifesto commitment to build 1 million homes over this parliament," Sunak said. "That’s a beautiful new home for a million individual families in every corner of our country."
Conservatives have long been divided on the housing issue. Some, mostly in urban areas, would rather the party engage in a massive construction campaign, while those living in the countryside prefer green preservation.
On this last point, Sunak made immediately clear they "won’t do that by concreting over the countryside." "Our plan," he finished, "is to build the right homes where there is the most need and where there is local support, in the heart of Britain’s great cities."
The housing crisis is a major issue in inflation-stricken Britain. Skyrocketing costs and gentrification make it especially hard for young people to purchase a new home.
Further, record-high interest rates put a heavy toll on British mortgage-holders, most of whom will renew their pre-pandemic contracts by the end of the year.
Campaign strategy
Sunak’s move comes one year ahead of the 2024 British general election. The Conservative Party is set to badly lose their seat majority and the government, while the Labours are expected to win by a landslide.
Conservative defeat has been forecast since the disastrous term of Liz Truss, the UK’s shortest-serving Prime Minister. Following an abysmal budget plan amid an unprecedented financial crisis, Liz Truss was forced to resign barely one month into her tenure.
Previously, Brexit architect Boris Johnson also left the government in dismay following a series of scandals against his cabinet. Finally, as regret over Brexit mounts even within the Conservative population, the Party will most likely be torn apart at the next election.
With the decision to build a million new houses, Rishi Sunak is trying to sweeten the pill. However, a Conservative total defeat is still likely, especially because critics argue this move will not solve Britain’s housing crisis.
"This policy will only paper over the cracks," said a planning manager at Knight Frank, "instead of getting to the heart of the issue facing the UK’s overburdened and under-resourced planning system."
Finally, the Labour Party argued that the policy will increase house prices while decreasing quality of life. In short, a headline measure to gather a tiddly percentage point at the elections.
