Tory big beast Sir James Cleverly has marked his return to frontline politics with a pledge to “lead the fight” against Labour’s “failure” on housing and ensure Britain has the homes it needs. The former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary will go head to head with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in the Commons.
His return from the backbenches was the biggest change in Kemi Badenoch’s reshuffle. Sir James – who ran for the Tory leadership last year – is widely seen as a potential contender for Mayor of London.
Sir James launched a vociferous attack on Labour’s record on housing so far, singling out the decision to scrap a review intended to boost housebuilding in the capital.
He told the Sunday Express: “Britain is being let down by this Labour Government. Our country needs more homes but this Government is not serious about delivering them.
“Labour’s reckless decision to scrap the London Plan review, slash housing targets in the capital, divert much-needed housing stock to accommodate asylum seekers and preside over the lowest level of housing starts in years paints a bleak picture. This is undoing all the progress we made under the last Conservative government where we delivered one million homes across England.
“Under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, we will restore confidence, protect property rights and get Britain building again. I am ready to lead the fight against this failure because for the Conservatives, housing is not just about numbers, it’s about aspiration, ownership and the dignity of a home you can call your own.”
Sir James vowed: “Only the Conservatives will back the makers to ensure we get Britain building again.”
A source close to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Londoners won’t forget the Tories’ terrible housing legacy – soaring rents and mortgage payments, cuts to funding, and their disastrous decision to abandon housing targets. Despite the Tories’ legacy, Sadiq has delivered for Londoners.
“He’s completed more new homes than any time since the 1930s and started more new council homes than any time since the 1970s. The Mayor will work alongside the new Labour Government to deliver the homes Londoners need.
“Sadiq welcomes the new funding settlement of £11.7billion over 10 years for affordable housebuilding in London – the biggest and longest the capital has ever received.”
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Successive Labour and Conservative governments have failed to not only build enough houses, but also to curb the demand for housing.”
He said it was “no wonder we’re in the mess we’re in” after years of high net migration, adding: “Supply simply cannot keep up, making it almost impossible for Brits to access affordable homes.”