Labour Leader Challenges Green Party's Housing Policy Stance
Labour council leader Bella Sankey has issued a pointed response to Green Party representative Siân Berry's recent advocacy for local authorities to 'buy the supply' of landlord properties to boost social housing stocks.
Brighton's Existing Policy Implementation
In a letter published in early January, Sankey expressed surprise at Berry's proposal, noting that Brighton and Hove's Labour council has been actively pursuing this exact policy for some time. The initiative was prominently featured in national media coverage last autumn, highlighting what was described as a 'right to buy in reverse' approach to tackling the city's social housing crisis.
Sankey suggested that Berry, who serves as a Member of Parliament representing Brighton constituencies, should 'pay more attention closer to home' before making policy recommendations that are already being implemented in her own constituency.
Critique of Green Party Policy Record
The Labour leader offered a broader critique of Green Party governance approaches, suggesting they often prioritise political rhetoric over practical implementation. Sankey pointed specifically to the Greens' previous administration of Brighton and Hove City Council, claiming their record demonstrated:
- Substantial backlogs in council house repairs reaching record levels
- Failure to maintain houses of multiple occupation licensing schemes
- Inadequate rollout of landlord licensing programmes
'This despite all the warm words and "housing is a human right" rhetoric,' Sankey noted in her correspondence.
Environmental Policy Comparisons
Sankey extended her criticism beyond housing policy, suggesting the Green Party's environmental record during their council tenure was similarly lacking in substantive achievement. She claimed that while there was considerable discussion about climate crisis responses, there was minimal progress in practical areas including:
- Expansion of recycling programmes
- Implementation of city-wide decarbonisation strategies
The Labour leader asserted that her administration is now working to address these policy implementation gaps.
Call for Recognition of Labour's Progressive Housing Work
Sankey concluded her response with a direct challenge to Berry's housing policy advocacy, stating: 'If Siân wants to see a progressive council buying housing stock into public ownership, she need look no further than her Labour council and the work we are doing in Brighton.'
The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions between Labour and Green representatives in Brighton, particularly regarding housing policy implementation and environmental governance approaches.
