RESIDENTIAL SUMMIT: Neither mainstream mayoral candidate has shown a clear understanding of the housing challenge or significantly different policies to address it, according to experts at the Estates Gazette Residential Summit.
“What is remarkable in the way the campaign has been pursued so far is there is such little difference in reality between the two leading candidates,” said Steven Norris, former government minister and mayoral candidate.
“At base they are both preaching the same message, and they both face the same challenge: how to run the rhetoric into reality… and I am not sure I have heard a convincing argument from either of them,” he added.
Khan has said he will increase affordable housing commitments to 50%, while Goldsmith has claimed he will up house building to 50,000 a year within his first term.
“While we have heard a lot about national policy and trends, I think its fair to say the proposals in manifestos are a bit more broad brush,” said Professor Tony Travers, from the LSE.
“There is a risk of disappointment in relation to the housing bids made in this election. Candidates are offering these incredibly simple to understand commitments, and these are pretty steep commitments.”
James Murray, executive member for housing and development at Islington Council, was less keen to generalise the policies of the candidates, but said defining, and the mix of affordability in future housing was essential.
Travers and Norris said that changing the threshold for mayoral calls in would be one way to increase housebuilding, giving the mayor a real power but it would change the dynamic with the boroughs.
Other options discussed included significantly lowering the price of land and finding a working relationship with central government.
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