A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
White British people are a minority in London I would have thought that's the main reason
The main reason is that the LibDem vote has collapsed and a large part of it has gone to Labour.
Labours crutch?!
I thought that had been shown as less substantial than thought
In wales the lib dem vote went labour then Ukip if you look at the graphs.. It was mostly NOTA not sandals
London is about the only place where Labour's crutch is likely to work. What the polls show is a big transfer of votes from the LDs to Labour. For many reasons - including ethnicity and immigration, but also age, occupation and education - London is less fertile territory for UKIP than elsewhere.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
I think some countries require foreign buyers either to reside in the properties they buy, or let them out.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
UKIP a touch high at 9% there?
Same as the ICM London poll last week
Maybe I've been overdoing it a little - I had them 6.2% in London on an outturn of 11.8% nationwide
I think it will be, as nationwide, a volatile vote... 1-2% in tower hamlets and newham 25-30% in hornchurch and romford
Isn't Andrew Rosindell UKIPpy enough for the locals? He was my MP, once upon a time!
Yeah I think he will win although my uncle, a member of the romford Con club for thirty years, told him in no uncertain terms he had lost his vote to Ukip and lots of the posher part of rommo (Gidea Pk) have Ukip signs up
Very noticeable Eastern European community in Romford now, East London council tenants have been moved there from gentrified parts of Newham and the hospital built to replace the two that closed is beyond a joke... Google 'romford recorder queens hospital'
Lol, used to play Scrabble up in Gidea Park. Those of them that are still alive will be probably voting UKIP :-)
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
The problem is where it was too easy to get a mortgage in 2007 now it is too difficult. The new rules on banks lending have seen to that. The inbalance there nows need to be readdressed..things are only going to get worse from next week when the over 55s get their hands on their pension pots..what are they going to do..yes buy property thus driving prices even higher.
Yes, well I think that's the point. So many people I know have money in the bank, but still can't afford to buy a house/flat because prices are just out of control. A collapse in the rental sector and landlords selling up because they can no longer make outrageous profits by leeching off the generations below them is something a lot of people support. Especially in London. The Tories need to get themselves on the right side of the argument. Increasing housing supply in outer London and other places people don't want to live isn't going to make a difference. It is virtually impossible to increase housing supply in inner London, areas like Angel, Shoreditch, King's Cross and Bloomsbury needs housing supply, and that can only come from existing stock which means ousting the buy-to-let landlords.
Without a decrease in immigration, and the consequent reduction of demand, it just isn't going to happen.
Would you support stronger immigration controls and leaving the EU to achieve this?
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
Given most of these people want to buy, they aren't going to be too fussed about that.
Ultimately they are seeing all the money they could have been saving for a deposit going to some landlord.
Don't underestimate the anger there is amongst those who every month have this rubbed into their faces when rent is due, although it is very much a London phenomenon as elsewhere in the UK rents have been flat or falling.
The other side of the coin is that large numbers of people let out their property when they move elsewhere. If this becomes economically impossible for them, that will be another very big, angry constituency of voters.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
UKIP a touch high at 9% there?
Same as the ICM London poll last week
Maybe I've been overdoing it a little - I had them 6.2% in London on an outturn of 11.8% nationwide
I think it will be, as nationwide, a volatile vote... 1-2% in tower hamlets and newham 25-30% in hornchurch and romford
Isn't Andrew Rosindell UKIPpy enough for the locals? He was my MP, once upon a time!
Yeah I think he will win although my uncle, a member of the romford Con club for thirty years, told him in no uncertain terms he had lost his vote to Ukip and lots of the posher part of rommo (Gidea Pk) have Ukip signs up
Very noticeable Eastern European community in Romford now, East London council tenants have been moved there from gentrified parts of Newham and the hospital built to replace the two that closed is beyond a joke... Google 'romford recorder queens hospital'
Lol, used to play Scrabble up in Gidea Park. Those of them that are still alive will be probably voting UKIP :-)
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
I doubt many private landlords are 'coining' as much as you think they are.
I'm shedding tears for your mates whining because they can't afford to live in ridiculously expensive areas. Look somewhere cheaper, and less trendy.
I wouldn't exactly call Walthamstow trendy, and yet two people I know who rent there had their rents jacked up by 20% and 15% each.
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
Given most of these people want to buy, they aren't going to be too fussed about that.
Ultimately they are seeing all the money they could have been saving for a deposit going to some landlord.
Don't underestimate the anger there is amongst those who every month have this rubbed into their faces when rent is due, although it is very much a London phenomenon as elsewhere in the UK rents have been flat or falling.
The other side of the coin is that large numbers of people let out their property when they move elsewhere. If this becomes economically impossible for them, that will be another very big, angry constituency of voters.
Agree. Its typical of the Left to hate all landlords who are not councils (councils who let for economic rents paid for by the taxpayer.) Renting suits vast numbers of people, but the nasty vicious ignorant Left hate the ordinary people who are prepared to invest, to risk and to manage the service which meets this need.
Yes, well I think that's the point. So many people I know have money in the bank, but still can't afford to buy a house/flat because prices are just out of control. A collapse in the rental sector and landlords selling up because they can no longer make outrageous profits by leeching off the generations below them is something a lot of people support. Especially in London. The Tories need to get themselves on the right side of the argument. Increasing housing supply in outer London and other places people don't want to live isn't going to make a difference. It is virtually impossible to increase housing supply in inner London, areas like Angel, Shoreditch, King's Cross and Bloomsbury needs housing supply, and that can only come from existing stock which means ousting the buy-to-let landlords.
Without a decrease in immigration, and the consequent reduction of demand, it just isn't going to happen.
Would you support stronger immigration controls and leaving the EU to achieve this?
We're talking about London here, people from the rest of Britain want to move there too so if you want to keep the rents down with migration controls you'll need border guards around the M25.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
White British people are a minority in London I would have thought that's the main reason
The main reason is that the LibDem vote has collapsed and a large part of it has gone to Labour.
Labours crutch?!
I thought that had been shown as less substantial than thought
In wales the lib dem vote went labour then Ukip if you look at the graphs.. It was mostly NOTA not sandals
London is about the only place where Labour's crutch is likely to work. What the polls show is a big transfer of votes from the LDs to Labour. For many reasons - including ethnicity and immigration, but also age, occupation and education - London is less fertile territory for UKIP than elsewhere.
Agree re Ukip in London hence my surprise that ICM have them 9% both nationwide and London only
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
UKIP a touch high at 9% there?
Same as the ICM London poll last week
Maybe I've been overdoing it a little - I had them 6.2% in London on an outturn of 11.8% nationwide
I think it will be, as nationwide, a volatile vote... 1-2% in tower hamlets and newham 25-30% in hornchurch and romford
Isn't Andrew Rosindell UKIPpy enough for the locals? He was my MP, once upon a time!
Yeah I think he will win although my uncle, a member of the romford Con club for thirty years, told him in no uncertain terms he had lost his vote to Ukip and lots of the posher part of rommo (Gidea Pk) have Ukip signs up
Very noticeable Eastern European community in Romford now, East London council tenants have been moved there from gentrified parts of Newham and the hospital built to replace the two that closed is beyond a joke... Google 'romford recorder queens hospital'
Lol, used to play Scrabble up in Gidea Park. Those of them that are still alive will be probably voting UKIP :-)
Yes I'd have thought Gidea Pk very Ukippy
I used to rent a house on the exhibition estate there for 6 months when I thought I was rich / had a big win!
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
The solution isn't hard.
50% land value tax on owners who are not resident for tax in Britain. The property can be expropriated if the tax isn't paid. Foreigners f*** off.
As for buy-to-let, a 2.5% land value tax on second property. Yes it will require an expensive revaluation of residential property in the country, but I would let the landlords bear that burden. Have your second property valued and pay the tax. Exempt housing association and new builds for 25 years.
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
I doubt many private landlords are 'coining' as much as you think they are.
I'm shedding tears for your mates whining because they can't afford to live in ridiculously expensive areas. Look somewhere cheaper, and less trendy.
I wouldn't exactly call Walthamstow trendy, and yet two people I know who rent there had their rents jacked up by 20% and 15% each.
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
The world isn't divided into millionaire landlords and exploited tenants.
When I was made redundant in the 1990s I had to move to another part of the country to find work. I had to let out my flat to cover the mortgage payments. There are plenty of people who are, and have been, in my position.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
White British people are a minority in London I would have thought that's the main reason
The main reason is that the LibDem vote has collapsed and a large part of it has gone to Labour.
Labours crutch?!
I thought that had been shown as less substantial than thought
In wales the lib dem vote went labour then Ukip if you look at the graphs.. It was mostly NOTA not sandals
London is about the only place where Labour's crutch is likely to work. What the polls show is a big transfer of votes from the LDs to Labour. For many reasons - including ethnicity and immigration, but also age, occupation and education - London is less fertile territory for UKIP than elsewhere.
Agree re Ukip in London hence my surprise that ICM have them 9% both nationwide and London only
Whats interesting in London is that even in areas where the Labour vote has been squeezed by the LibDems over the last 4 elections they are pushing hard for support. In Sutton and Cheam last night there was a big comedy night put on that atrracted a lot of support for the Labour candidate Emily Brothers where Sadiq Khan turned up. Why? Well it isnt just this election they are looking at but as importantly the Mayor of London elections. This could really hurt the LibDems in their heartlands if Labour decide to return to Labour in the South West golden triangle of the capital.
So, in the ComRes poll Miliband leads Cameron in three of the five bsr graphs on the previous thread, unless you consider being arrogant as a positive. Furthermore Tories seem to be leading with under 35s , women and are ahead of Labour in Scotland. A VERY BIG OUTLIER INDEED.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
The solution isn't hard.
50% land value tax on owners who are not resident for tax in Britain. The property can be expropriated if the tax isn't paid. Foreigners f*** off.
That has even more holes in it than a 5% cap on profits for doing business with the NHS.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
The problem is where it was too easy to get a mortgage in 2007 now it is too difficult. The new rules on banks lending have seen to that. The inbalance there nows need to be readdressed..things are only going to get worse from next week when the over 55s get their hands on their pension pots..what are they going to do..yes buy property thus driving prices even higher.
If I understand you correctly you are saying that its difficult to get a mortgage and buy a house - so no one is buying houses, but house prices at the same time are rising out of people's reach because of demand. I think people are putting their money into property *before* they reach pension age as an alternative to saving - so that issue is with us constantly, and has been ever since Brown shafted saving for a pension.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
I think some countries require foreign buyers either to reside in the properties they buy, or let them out.
So, in the ComRes poll Miliband leads Cameron in three of the five bsr graphs on the previous thread, unless you consider being arrogant as a positive. Furthermore Tories seem to be leading with under 35s , women and are ahead of Labour in Scotland. A VERY BIG OUTLIER INDEED.
roseree- I really do admire your unmitigated and fully enthusiastic championing of the Labour Party. It really cheers me up and it winds up the Tories on here no end. A double plus, plus.
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
I doubt many private landlords are 'coining' as much as you think they are.
I'm shedding tears for your mates whining because they can't afford to live in ridiculously expensive areas. Look somewhere cheaper, and less trendy.
I wouldn't exactly call Walthamstow trendy, and yet two people I know who rent there had their rents jacked up by 20% and 15% each.
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
The world isn't divided into millionaire landlords and exploited tenants.
When I was made redundant in the 1990s I had to move to another part of the country to find work. I had to let out my flat to cover the mortgage payments. There are plenty of people who are, and have been, in my position.
The problem for the Tories is that right now in London it does feel like it. Older rich haves who own the property and younger working have nots who are forced to rent because prices are out of control. I got very, very lucky when I bought in Shepherds Bush, a similar flat on my road sold for £140,000 more than I bought mine for. How can anyone who doesn't earn six figures ever hope to afford to live in Shepherds bush?
The Tories really, really need to hit the private landlords. As for people in your situation, they would just pay the tax. It wouldn't be about making money, just temporarily vacating until the mortgage becomes affordable and a 2.5% charge isn't going to be the end of the world. It would just make buy-to-let unprofitable so baby boomers can use property investment as a form of funding their retirement. We have a basic problem where capital is flowing in the wrong direction because of insane property prices.
Matthew Goodwin (@GoodwinMJ) 30/03/2015 12:23 Suspect Farage upbeat today. Big fear was polls would slide to single-digits pre-short campaign. Running 13-15% & ofcom to kick in.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) 30/03/2015 12:50 Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post. ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
Revealed - Thursday's 7 way debate stage order: Left to right; Bennett, Clegg, Farage, Miliband, Wood, Sturgeon, Cameron.
Is that in order of IQ L to Right ?
its good for Cameron because he only has to look one way down the line. If he was a diva he would be complaining if it showed his bad side. Meanwhile Miliband will be dodging this way and that trying not to look shifty.
As a landlord I read some of the posts below about London residential rental increases and thought that I must be uninformed on the reality. So I did a search and found out that the average rise was a massive ..... 2.4% last year.......... wow ... gosh ....shucks...!!!!!!! Now maybe the folk posting these wild claims are all in an area that is out stripping the London average or they are just talking cr*p? Are they advisors to Lucy at Labour?
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
An under-appreciated fact about British politics is that the voters really, really hate free markets.
Is that why they do most of their shopping in supermarkets or Amazon/ebay? Maybe you think they do not realise ebay is the result of a free market or think that Aldi is state controlled.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) 30/03/2015 12:50 Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post. ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
I cannot see Farage and Miliband as good neighbours, and with Ed sights on Cameron and Sturgeon, I suspect he will look mostly in that direction.
The Tories really, really need to hit the private landlords. As for people in your situation, they would just pay the tax. It wouldn't be about making money, just temporarily vacating until the mortgage becomes affordable and a 2.5% charge isn't going to be the end of the world. It would just make buy-to-let unprofitable so baby boomers can use property investment as a form of funding their retirement. We have a basic problem where capital is flowing in the wrong direction because of insane property prices.
Private landlords are charged to income tax on the rents and profits they receive from their estate in land. It is arguable that owner occupiers should also be charged to income tax on the rental value of their properties, since they effectively forego a rental income which would otherwise be taxed. It is therefore strongly arguable that it is private landlords, rather than owner occupiers who are penalised by the current system.
That sounds like a fair bit of "forecasting" from Gus O'Donnell to me.
Given that the premise of his argument is that England will be "largely Conservative voting" it's a pretty crap argument.
I know I'm a man with a fair few North Britain bets but it makes me wonder if the civil service is bricking it at the thought of a large contingent of SNP MPs ?
Or is that me being a bit Wings over Sheffield ?
There has been a refusal to let the SNP have pre-election discussions with the Civil Service despite being arguably the 3rd Party (at least equal with LDs to error margins). Though I am not sure if this is down to the Mandarins or the Coalition. At any rate, it won't speed up the establishment of a relationship.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) 30/03/2015 12:50 Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post. ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
I cannot see Farage and Miliband as good neighbours, and with Ed sights on Cameron and Sturgeon, I suspect he will look mostly in that direction.
Same though crossed my mind - as did this. Stealers Wheels - Stuck In The Middle With You.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
White British people are a minority in London I would have thought that's the main reason
The main reason is that the LibDem vote has collapsed and a large part of it has gone to Labour.
Labours crutch?!
I thought that had been shown as less substantial than thought
In wales the lib dem vote went labour then Ukip if you look at the graphs.. It was mostly NOTA not sandals
London is about the only place where Labour's crutch is likely to work. What the polls show is a big transfer of votes from the LDs to Labour. For many reasons - including ethnicity and immigration, but also age, occupation and education - London is less fertile territory for UKIP than elsewhere.
Agree re Ukip in London hence my surprise that ICM have them 9% both nationwide and London only
Whats interesting in London is that even in areas where the Labour vote has been squeezed by the LibDems over the last 4 elections they are pushing hard for support. In Sutton and Cheam last night there was a big comedy night put on that atrracted a lot of support for the Labour candidate Emily Brothers where Sadiq Khan turned up. Why? Well it isnt just this election they are looking at but as importantly the Mayor of London elections. This could really hurt the LibDems in their heartlands if Labour decide to return to Labour in the South West golden triangle of the capital.
Is this big push by Labour in Sutton and Cheam the same one that was going to win Labour 3 wards and cost the Lib Dems control of the council last May ?
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
What about controls for the global super rich using London property as a physical bank account?
I don't know what the solution is - I'm a free marketeer - but London property rents and prices have got to the point now where something must be done. I can't see any mayor ever building enough to keep the prices stable.
The solution isn't hard.
50% land value tax on owners who are not resident for tax in Britain. The property can be expropriated if the tax isn't paid. Foreigners f*** off.
But what about British property owners who are temporarily resident overseas? You saying everybody who gets posted overseas by their company or the army or whatever should have to lose their house?
That sounds like a fair bit of "forecasting" from Gus O'Donnell to me.
Given that the premise of his argument is that England will be "largely Conservative voting" it's a pretty crap argument.
I know I'm a man with a fair few North Britain bets but it makes me wonder if the civil service is bricking it at the thought of a large contingent of SNP MPs ?
Or is that me being a bit Wings over Sheffield ?
There has been a refusal to let the SNP have pre-election discussions with the Civil Service despite being arguably the 3rd Party (at least equal with LDs to error margins). Though I am not sure if this is down to the Mandarins or the Coalition. At any rate, it won't speed up the establishment of a relationship.
Not enough translators available? PMSL at their economic plan?
Notable in the Populus figures today is a comparative firming up of own supporters (ie 2010C voting C and 2010L voting L) probably due to the non debate on Thursday last.
The first Welsh opinion poll of the General Election campaign shows that Labour has slightly improved its position, reaching 40% for the first time in nearly a year. YouGov's latest Welsh Barometer Poll for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University still puts the party well below the 50% plus it was polling before UKIP support started to climb two years ago. But it's 4% higher than the 2010 General Election result.
If opinion doesn't shift further during the election campaign, that should be enough to deliver Labour a couple of extra seats on May 7. The Conservatives on 25% are just 1% down on the result five years ago and Plaid Cymru's 11% shows no change on 2010. Those figures put both parties on course for no overall change in the number of Welsh seats they hold.
The inequalities built into the electoral system mean that the Liberal Democrats, down 15% on 5% can still hope to hold on to at least one seat but UKIP, up 12% to 14% are not on course to break through in any Welsh constituencies. The Greens are similarly disadvantaged, despite being neck and neck with the Liberal Democrats in this poll.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) 30/03/2015 12:50 Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post. ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
I cannot see Farage and Miliband as good neighbours, and with Ed sights on Cameron and Sturgeon, I suspect he will look mostly in that direction.
I know I'm repeating myself, see what I said earlier, but I think being stuck in the centre is bad. Cameron and Bennett can look down the line and see reactions and can get a good view of the audience as well. They do not have to dodge around this way and that. How tall is Farage? Relative heights is always the dispute in US debates. If he looks a shorty between Clegg and Miliband then thats worth -1% of the kipper vote :-) With Cameron next to wee Nicola it won't work the same. The public will expect a woman to be short, I suppose its moot as to whether its a subconscious positive or negative. I suppose they both might end up with a crick in their necks by the end of the evening.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) 30/03/2015 12:50 Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post. ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
I cannot see Farage and Miliband as good neighbours, and with Ed sights on Cameron and Sturgeon, I suspect he will look mostly in that direction.
Same though crossed my mind - as did this. Stealers Wheels - Stuck In The Middle With You.
I think Natalie Bennett is the dark horse. It will be interesting to see how she responds to Farage suggesting an Australian points system for immigration.
She did have that infamous lapse when 1 on 1 with LBC but usually goes down on Question Time. I think she has had some media training since, and does have an MA in Mass Communication. The format allows offers of Unicorns or Owls without too much scrutiny.
The prominence may do her well in her constituency, particularly with Frank Dobson stepping down.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
I'm sure all those renting young professionals will be devastated by the sudden influx of properties on the market to buy such a move would result in.
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
I doubt many private landlords are 'coining' as much as you think they are.
I'm shedding tears for your mates whining because they can't afford to live in ridiculously expensive areas. Look somewhere cheaper, and less trendy.
I wouldn't exactly call Walthamstow trendy, and yet two people I know who rent there had their rents jacked up by 20% and 15% each.
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
FWIW, I think that a lot of the leechers are going to get badly burnt. Once yields return to anything near normal, there will be no interest in buying a flat yielding 3-4% in central London when you can get the same on a far more liquid gilt.
Real asset prices are crazily distorted right now - you won't have any sympathy for me, but I can't afford to move from a 2-bed flat to a house in the area where I was born. Fingers crossed, they are going to come down.
'Outrageous profits' & 'leeching'. Are you writing the Labour Manifesto?
I doubt many private landlords are 'coining' as much as you think they are.
I'm shedding tears for your mates whining because they can't afford to live in ridiculously expensive areas. Look somewhere cheaper, and less trendy.
I wouldn't exactly call Walthamstow trendy, and yet two people I know who rent there had their rents jacked up by 20% and 15% each.
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
FWIW, I think that a lot of the leechers are going to get badly burnt. Once yields return to anything near normal, there will be no interest in buying a flat yielding 3-4% in central London when you can get the same on a far more liquid gilt.
Real asset prices are crazily distorted right now - you won't have any sympathy for me, but I can't afford to move from a 2-bed flat to a house in the area where I was born. Fingers crossed, they are going to come down.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
I'm sure all those renting young professionals will be devastated by the sudden influx of properties on the market to buy such a move would result in.
More London properties to be snapped up by foreign buyers at premium prices.
A good poll for Labour in London. Labour 46%, Con 32%. In fact, the Conservative vote share is only down 2% on 2010, but Labour is up 10%. Recent polls record swings of 3-6% to Labour in London.
Any reason's why Labour is doing so well in London versus elsewhere?
I think Ed's rent freeze is very attractive in London. A lot of my friends are willing to give it a go having seen their rents rise by over 10% a year for a few years now. The Tories need to do something about greedy landlords or they can kiss goodbye to London for a long time. Most of my friends should be natural Tory voters (higher rate tax payers, educated, private sector) and most of them are open to it, but they don't believe that the Tories are on the side of young professionals and everyone is worried about being stuck renting until their early forties.
They really, really need to do something about the private rentals sector and step in and take an axe to buy-to-let. If the Tories are ever going to win in London they absolutely have to do it. Generation rent in London (and other cities) will never vote for a party that stands for greedy landlords ripping them off.
The problem with rent controls is that they just kill off the rental sector.
I'm sure all those renting young professionals will be devastated by the sudden influx of properties on the market to buy such a move would result in.
More London properties to be snapped up by foreign buyers at premium prices.
Block the foreigners from buying. Introduce punitive taxes on non-resident owners.
Yet 60% of teachers voted Labour or LD in 2010. Teachers lean centre left, the Tories still did 3/4% worse with teachers than nationally in 2010. The election will be won by lower middle class and skilled working class private sector workers, targeting teachers will be about as productive for the Tories as targeting the armed forces is for Labour
Populus and comres makes the you gov post debate poll look out of line....
The problem was, when 95% of the population never saw the debate, how do you find a half way decent sample from the remaining 5% - and in a hurry? It was always going to be a hell of a task. They may not have had optimal success...
But if that Sunday Times headline scares a few voters back to the Tories, all to the good.
Ed Miliband is facing embarrassment after businesses featured in a political advert about the risks of Britain leaving the EU distanced themselves from Labour.
Labour took out a full-page advert in the Financial Times featuring quotes from six of Britain's biggest business leaders warning about the risks of leaving the EU.
However, the quotes used in the advert were up to two years old and several of the companies quoted have raised concerns.
One can fiddle around with the tax system, but it will only have a marginal effect. Under your proposed system, you would get some existing landlords to exit the market, and more houses would be available for those looking to buy. However, the increase in owner-occupied properties would be directly counteracted by the decline in rental stock, meaning those that are far away from being able to afford a property would just see their rent rise given the limited supply. Plus, there will be less incentive for property developers to build rental flats, exacerbating the problem further.
If you want to solve the rising price issue, you need to sort out supply or demand or both. Policy makers need to accept they can have two of the green belt, affordable housing or high levels of immigration, but they can't have all three.
I wonder if 2015 will ultimately end up with some parallels to 1992.
Economy not spectacular but improving, weak and often ridiculed Labour leader.
The polls were fairly level a few weeks out, but Labour did well during the campaign, only for the lead and their chances of government to melt away in the days just before the election.
One difference I can identify is that Cameron, whilst enjoy decent ratings, might not have the universal appeal of John Major.
The Scottish situation is different, but an SNP seat is basically a Labour seat, so not hugely so.
Private landlords are charged to income tax on the rents and profits they receive from their estate in land. It is arguable that owner occupiers should also be charged to income tax on the rental value of their properties, since they effectively forego a rental income which would otherwise be taxed.
By the same reasoning the unemployed should be charged income tax on the income they are foregoing by not working.
There has been a refusal to let the SNP have pre-election discussions with the Civil Service despite being arguably the 3rd Party (at least equal with LDs to error margins). Though I am not sure if this is down to the Mandarins or the Coalition. At any rate, it won't speed up the establishment of a relationship.
Seems completely correct - they have themselves categorically ruled out coalition with the Conservatives, Labour have ruled out a coalition with the SNP, and the SNP have stated that in any case they'd only support Labour on a case-by-case basis.
Since, therefore, there is no realistic prospect of them being in government, why on earth would they be involved in pre-election discussions between the Civil Service and the potential parties of government?
Teachers even in the private sector are anti-Tory. Firstly teachers have had their pensions altered slightly downwards as govt switched to CPI and of course all teachers now contribute a higher rate - recall Heads went on strike first time in history. State teachers have be denigrated by the Tory ideology e.g. D/ Hate Mail reinforced by Tory tabloids which unceasingly find fault in this profession which would not get abroad. Who wants to go into teaching now- there;s a recruitment crisis - frozen pay, work loads which are causing stress and this is bad because without good graduates in ordinary schools...etc. and I did not mention the A Level changes which stopped all sixthformers doing Jan resits ( never happened since A Levels started) and the Tory wish to end AS levels. How long have you got?
The Daily Mail finds fault in the profession with good reason and I say that having 3 teenage children in the local comp. Teachers are very well rewarded but never seem satisfied, I don't buy the stress/long hours Union dogma at all, as soon as there was a flake of snow this winter the school was shut. I have a 10 mile journey every day and never took a day off this winter, in reality teachers do themselves few favours gaining respect with the wider public.
I don't think most people would be too concerned with the short hours, long holidays, generous pensions etc if there were no strikes, threats and constant complaining and that is what the Mail picks up on. In my experience there are some very good dedicated teachers but they are in a minority.
You may not 'buy it' but its true. London attracts some good graduate teachers but compared say to Maths graduates in other jobs - its frozen & low paid. You have to compare good graduates with other comparable salaries. My son's primary teacher has gone like many burdened by admin at weekends and he said the hardest job he ever had. The drop out is high. Your hate D/Mail stuff well if that's what you read so be it. Many schools from private to state have condemned Gove's reforms as have most uni's- including Cambridge- as they reduce opportunities for our teenagers. The Tories have driven our education system into crisis - but you will not read that in the hate D/Mail because they are obsessed with a concept of teaching from a bygone age - like the crisis in the NHS you are in denial.
Comments
The new rules on banks lending have seen to that.
The inbalance there nows need to be readdressed..things are only going to get worse from next week when the over 55s get their hands on their pension pots..what are they going to do..yes buy property thus driving prices even higher.
Without a decrease in immigration, and the consequent reduction of demand, it just isn't going to happen.
Would you support stronger immigration controls and leaving the EU to achieve this?
The simple fact is that the Tories are seen to be (and probably are) on the side of rich landlords and they are waving goodbye to millions of votes of people that should be voting Tory and would have voted for Maggie by not helping them on the property ladder, while cosseting the leeching baby boomers.
Renting suits vast numbers of people, but the nasty vicious ignorant Left hate the ordinary people who are prepared to invest, to risk and to manage the service which meets this need.
I used to rent a house on the exhibition estate there for 6 months when I thought I was rich / had a big win!
50% land value tax on owners who are not resident for tax in Britain. The property can be expropriated if the tax isn't paid. Foreigners f*** off.
As for buy-to-let, a 2.5% land value tax on second property. Yes it will require an expensive revaluation of residential property in the country, but I would let the landlords bear that burden. Have your second property valued and pay the tax. Exempt housing association and new builds for 25 years.
After all, everybody loves ebay ;-)
When I was made redundant in the 1990s I had to move to another part of the country to find work. I had to let out my flat to cover the mortgage payments. There are plenty of people who are, and have been, in my position.
In Sutton and Cheam last night there was a big comedy night put on that atrracted a lot of support for the Labour candidate Emily Brothers where Sadiq Khan turned up. Why? Well it isnt just this election they are looking at but as importantly the Mayor of London elections.
This could really hurt the LibDems in their heartlands if Labour decide to return to Labour in the South West golden triangle of the capital.
I think people are putting their money into property *before* they reach pension age as an alternative to saving - so that issue is with us constantly, and has been ever since Brown shafted saving for a pension.
@rosschawkins: (Fair enough for Labour to highlight worried businesses, but must have known we'd do a ring round)
Organize....Brewery....Piss...Up...Couldn't..In...A
The Tories really, really need to hit the private landlords. As for people in your situation, they would just pay the tax. It wouldn't be about making money, just temporarily vacating until the mortgage becomes affordable and a 2.5% charge isn't going to be the end of the world. It would just make buy-to-let unprofitable so baby boomers can use property investment as a form of funding their retirement. We have a basic problem where capital is flowing in the wrong direction because of insane property prices.
30/03/2015 12:23
Suspect Farage upbeat today. Big fear was polls would slide to single-digits pre-short campaign. Running 13-15% & ofcom to kick in.
Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics)
30/03/2015 12:50
Leanne Wood odds cut from 50/1 to 20/1 for shock debate win. New Political Bookie post.
ow.ly/KYfiE pic.twitter.com/4NDIOXMHTY
Someone in a @LordAshcroft focus group has summed up the Conservatives' image problem in a single line. But I'm sworn to secrecy until 4pm.
Meanwhile Miliband will be dodging this way and that trying not to look shifty.
Now maybe the folk posting these wild claims are all in an area that is out stripping the London average or they are just talking cr*p? Are they advisors to Lucy at Labour?
source = http://data.london.gov.uk/housingmarket/
Nailed on I'd say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8StG4fFWHqg
Has there been a Populus poll today?
@PopulusPolls: Latest Populus VI: Lab 34 (+1), Con 34 (+3), LD 8 (-1), UKIP 15 (-1), Greens 4 (-1), Others 5 (-1). Tables here: http://t.co/BHGWbE8hAf
Latest Populus VI: Lab 34 (+1), Con 34 (+3), LD 8 (-1), UKIP 15 (-1), Greens 4 (-1), Others 5 (-1). Tables here: http://popu.lu/sVI300315
29 retweets 3 favorites
PMSL at their economic plan?
The first Welsh opinion poll of the General Election campaign shows that Labour has slightly improved its position, reaching 40% for the first time in nearly a year. YouGov's latest Welsh Barometer Poll for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University still puts the party well below the 50% plus it was polling before UKIP support started to climb two years ago. But it's 4% higher than the 2010 General Election result.
If opinion doesn't shift further during the election campaign, that should be enough to deliver Labour a couple of extra seats on May 7. The Conservatives on 25% are just 1% down on the result five years ago and Plaid Cymru's 11% shows no change on 2010. Those figures put both parties on course for no overall change in the number of Welsh seats they hold.
The inequalities built into the electoral system mean that the Liberal Democrats, down 15% on 5% can still hope to hold on to at least one seat but UKIP, up 12% to 14% are not on course to break through in any Welsh constituencies. The Greens are similarly disadvantaged, despite being neck and neck with the Liberal Democrats in this poll.
That will be more than enough to diminish respect for a number of them.
How tall is Farage? Relative heights is always the dispute in US debates. If he looks a shorty between Clegg and Miliband then thats worth -1% of the kipper vote :-)
With Cameron next to wee Nicola it won't work the same. The public will expect a woman to be short, I suppose its moot as to whether its a subconscious positive or negative. I suppose they both might end up with a crick in their necks by the end of the evening.
She did have that infamous lapse when 1 on 1 with LBC but usually goes down on Question Time. I think she has had some media training since, and does have an MA in Mass Communication. The format allows offers of Unicorns or Owls without too much scrutiny.
The prominence may do her well in her constituency, particularly with Frank Dobson stepping down.
Hell Yeah!
Real asset prices are crazily distorted right now - you won't have any sympathy for me, but I can't afford to move from a 2-bed flat to a house in the area where I was born. Fingers crossed, they are going to come down.
Real asset prices are crazily distorted right now - you won't have any sympathy for me, but I can't afford to move from a 2-bed flat to a house in the area where I was born. Fingers crossed, they are going to come down.
But if that Sunday Times headline scares a few voters back to the Tories, all to the good.
One can fiddle around with the tax system, but it will only have a marginal effect. Under your proposed system, you would get some existing landlords to exit the market, and more houses would be available for those looking to buy. However, the increase in owner-occupied properties would be directly counteracted by the decline in rental stock, meaning those that are far away from being able to afford a property would just see their rent rise given the limited supply. Plus, there will be less incentive for property developers to build rental flats, exacerbating the problem further.
If you want to solve the rising price issue, you need to sort out supply or demand or both. Policy makers need to accept they can have two of the green belt, affordable housing or high levels of immigration, but they can't have all three.
Economy not spectacular but improving, weak and often ridiculed Labour leader.
The polls were fairly level a few weeks out, but Labour did well during the campaign, only for the lead and their chances of government to melt away in the days just before the election.
One difference I can identify is that Cameron, whilst enjoy decent ratings, might not have the universal appeal of John Major.
The Scottish situation is different, but an SNP seat is basically a Labour seat, so not hugely so.
Max's point is vital, and undeniable.
I suspect many young Londoners (even the well heeled ones) wouldn't mind too much if ed got in and the economy tanked.
Such an event would give them a chance to get on the property ladder. They could always vote tory later.
Since, therefore, there is no realistic prospect of them being in government, why on earth would they be involved in pre-election discussions between the Civil Service and the potential parties of government?
You may not 'buy it' but its true. London attracts some good graduate teachers but compared say to Maths graduates in other jobs - its frozen & low paid. You have to compare good graduates with other comparable salaries. My son's primary teacher has gone like many burdened by admin at weekends and he said the hardest job he ever had. The drop out is high. Your hate D/Mail stuff well if that's what you read so be it. Many schools from private to state have condemned Gove's reforms as have most uni's- including Cambridge- as they reduce opportunities for our teenagers. The Tories have driven our education system into crisis - but you will not read that in the hate D/Mail because they are obsessed with a concept of teaching from a bygone age - like the crisis in the NHS you are in denial.