If the first few hours of the new government’s approach to housing are anything to go by, it could be a confusing five years ahead.
That’s because contrary to an announcement on Monday, the new housing minister is...the old housing minister.
Late on Monday afternoon Number 10 issued a statement saying that Mark Francois had been appointed as the new housing minister, working to Greg Clark, the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
The announcement raised some eyebrows for Francois, the Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, was relatively unknown despite having served as minister of state for the armed forces in the old coalition government. His pre-parliament background in banking and lobbying did not lend any obvious suggestion that he had a strong interest in housing.
Even so, organisations like the Residential Landlords Association sent congratulatory messages to Francois and his appointment was widely reported in a range of industry outlets, including EAT, and mainstream publications.
However, by yesterday lunchtime rumours began to circulate on Twitter that the former housing minister at the end of the coalition government, Brandon Lewis, had in fact retained the position.
Eventually Number 10 confirmed the news later in the day.
Lewis himself tweeted his delight at staying in office, adding: “I wil be focusing on delivering homes, ensuring those who aspire to their own home can do so. Delivering homes we need, where we need them.”
However, as before, Lewis does not have cabinet membership despite housing issues including extending right to buy, new Help To Buy ISAs and ambitious house-building targets being at the centre of the Conservatives’ manifesto during the election campaign.
Lewis’ boss will be former universities minister Greg Clark who has replaced Eric Pickles as Communities and Local Government Secretary. Clark is considered a serious and talented politician with an interest in cities, decentralisation and science.
At the Despatch Box, Clark will face Labour’s Emma Reynolds - the shadow housing minister until last Thursday’s election - who has been appointed as shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary.
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Blimey, and we've put these people in charge for five years?
Right choice in the end, even if there was a heck of mix-up in getting there. I agree with many of the Conservative policies on housing and Lewis is the perfect choice to implement them. He knows the industry and he understands the issues. Just be grateful Labour aren't in charge - the PRS would be wrecked already!
Correct choice in the end, but what a right royal balls-up they made of announcing it.
Slightly concerning that housing is taking a backseat in the newly formed government - no Cabinet position for Brandon Lewis, confusion over who the new housing minister will be, no clear outline of what their actual policies are (yeah, I know, we've had the election promises but they mean about as much as the paper they were written on).
Doesn't bode well.
I'm saying nothing!
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