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David Miliband, (centre left), during his visit on Tuesday
with Camden Council leader Raj Chada, (centre right),
and Camden councillors
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Minister turns on critics of housing cash deadlock
Miliband challenges party rivals to
come up with solution to crisis
LABOUR’S local government minister David Miliband accused
rival parties of not knowing how to solve Camden’s council
housing crisis on Tuesday.
He said Liberal Democrats and Conservatives were quick to criticise
policy but had failed to come up with new ideas to improve life
for council tenants.
Mr Miliband, who lives in Primrose Hill, is a key broker in
the two-year stalemate which has blocked the funding Camden
needs to refurbish its estates.
More than £280 million of investment was promised to the
Town Hall by ministers in 2003 but has been withheld since residents
emphatically vetoed a switch to homes controlled by housing
associations and new independent boards known as Arms-Length
Management Organisations (Almos).
The issue remains a major sore point between Labour members
in Camden and their senior colleagues, including Mr Miliband.
The run-up to the May 4 council elections has brought accusations
from opponents that tenants and leaseholders have been failed
by the Labour government.
On a recent visit to Camden, Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell
said Labour had unfairly “fined” Camden’s tenants
£283 million and ignored a democratic vote.
Mr Miliband told the New Journal: “Discussions are continuing
with Camden to make sure we can find a way forward. There is
only one party that will keep investment in council housing
going. That’s the simple choice that we face. The other
parties can say what they are against but they are not saying
what they are for.”
He was speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto
at Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town.
Town Hall Labour leader Councillor Raj Chada told him that Labour
members would keep “hassling” him on the issue.
Privately, some local Labour members believe Mr Miliband could
hold the key to the deadlock but has found it difficult to help
Camden without blowing a hole in national policy.
Mr Miliband, who has already made three visits to Camden in
the run-up to the elections, added: “People will always
want more and there is a very effective team here arguing for
more. We’ve got to carry on the discussions. We respect
the vote that happened here and we have got to continue to find
a way forward. We are committed to making sure Camden housing
is the highest possible standard.”
Asked by the New Journal whether he expected Camden to meet
the national manifesto pledge to bring all council homes up
to national standards by 2010, he simply said: “Let’s
see where we are in 2010.”
Cllr Chada originally backed the creation of an Almo to run
Camden council housing but is now campaigning for direct investment.
He said: “It is not just about new kitchens and bathrooms.
We are looking at what tenants actually want and need. That
might be new heating or lifts in tower blocks. We are looking
beyond the decent homes standard.”
Mr Miliband, a former Haverstock School pupil now tipped as
a future Prime Minister, said that life in Camden under Labour
was sweet and backed Cllr Chada’s pledge to drive drug
dealers out of Camden Town within two years.
He said: “It’s possible, through tough choices and
real leadership, real working with the police and the health
service. I think if he (Cllr Chada) says it’s true then
it is true. I look forward to seeing the benefits of the changes.
“This isn’t just Raj saying this. He is working with
the Borough Commander (police chief Mark Heath). They are on
a mission to make this a place not just to live in, but to come
to.” |
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