Hammersmith Tories

Campaigning for a better Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush, West Kensington & White City.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

But if all of this feels a bit too academic, or counterintuitive, think of rent controls this way:

If you were sick and went to a doctor who promised you a medicine he didn't have that would make you worse if you took it, would you trust that doctor?

Of course you wouldn't.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

To be clear, we need to act on rents. Until we build the supply, we should get tough with crap landlords.

At a minimum we need a London-wide registry of landlords, so we can spot bad actors.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

But a scrap over rent controls would be Khan's most cynical ploy yet. Not only does he want a barney, he wants one in order to have the powers that would actually make Londoners worse off.

The only solution to ⬆️ rents & house prices is to get a grip & build more homes. End of

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

The only reason Khan is promising this policy is so he can blame central government – again – for not letting him have his way.

His hands are somehow always tied. "Vote for me, I can't do anything" is now the official Khan line.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

Khan can’t even deliver this policy. He admitted that in 2016: "I have no plans to introduce rent controls, nor the powers to do so."

Make no mistake: RC’s are false hope peddled by politicians who don't want do the hard work of building the homes we desperately need.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

No matter how hard he works the stats, Khan can’t hide that he’s failed to build the homes we need. Completions are down 20% in London, but up elsewhere.

That’s why Khan polled rent controls in Dec and announced them in Jan. They’re popular.

Which brings us to his cynicism.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

If rent controls don't work, why is a smart man like Sadiq Khan choosing to front them?

The three answers are: failure, popularity, and cynicism.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

Over time RC’s push landlords out of the market - reducing supply – and generate less investment in properties, lowering the quality on offer.

Does London really want to be a place like New York where people scour the obituaries hoping to score a ‘rent-controlled’ flat?

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

Rent controls don’t work.

Economist and housing expert Assar Lindbeck called them"the most effective technique presently known to destroy a city - except for bombing".

Inequality expert Angus Deaton also thinks they're bad news.

[Shaun Bailey @ShaunBaileyUK]

The buzz around City Hall is that Sadiq Khan is getting ready to announce his disastrous rent control policy next week.

Let’s be clear: Rent controls are a TERRIBLE idea that would take a bad London housing and rental market situation and make it worse.

Here’s why:

[Joel Davidson @joel__davidson]

Great to catch up with @JamesCleverly at @HamConserv @HFConsCllrs annual dinner - big supporter of our @ConHome article and fully behind #BackTheBrexitDeal

[James Cleverly🇬🇧 @JamesCleverly]

Because of the changes made by @Conservatives in government, people on the #NationalLivingWage are almost £500 a year better off.

[Mark Higton @Alfromeo]

Today @ARKConway celebrated the successes of Year 6, who have trailblazed Govt Tables for 7 yrs with marks of 98%! Battles for the School were hard fought, benefiting an area with high levels of illiteracy. Pls help the School raise £5k for the library https://t.co/fZbjkNg2DK

[Matt Hancock @MattHancock]

Looking forward to giving my first speech as Health & Social Care Secretary today, with a clear message for health & care staff: I value you. I admire you. I will fight for you and I will champion you. #LoveNHS https://t.co/a5yjAUQh4H

[James Cleverly🇬🇧 @JamesCleverly]

The @Conservatives Mayor of London long list. A good mix of experience: personal, professional, political.

We will deliver for Londoners.

@KulveerRanger @kevinjdavis @AlisonCork @DuwayneBrooks @AndrewBoff @ShaunBaileyUK Simone Finn @ruby4london @AndrewRosindell @joymorrissey

[Conservatives @Conservatives]

Our long-term plan for the NHS means £394 million more funding every week by 2023/24 - helping deliver better outcomes for patients such as higher cancer survival rates and improved mental health support. #PMQs

[Sir Greg Hands @GregHands]

More great news on jobs today under this Conservative Government.

[Philip Hammond @PhilipHammondUK]

Our labour market is going from strength to strength. New stats show a record employment rate of 75.7% and the lowest unemployment rate since the 1970s.

[Theresa May @theresa_may]

Delighted to see the successful rescue of those trapped in the caves in Thailand. The world was watching and will be saluting the bravery of all those involved.

[Mark Higton @Alfromeo]

Thanks to all NHS Staff and @Imperialpeople for everything they do @ImperialNHS. Celebrating #NHS70 with the people of Hammersmith and @MSThorley in Lyric Square. @HFConsCllrs @HamConserv