The King’s Speech made clear the Government’s commitment to creating a fair and just housing system.
As Father of the House, I had the honour of speaking first following the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and of the SNP. I welcomed the announcement of a Leasehold Reform Bill, a priority of the Government for the coming year.
The issues with Leasehold are complex. There are simple solutions that will have dramatic effects.
The coming year in parliament will be exciting for leaseholders and leasehold campaigners nationwide as the Government sets out its plans to bring justice to leaseholders nationwide.
If the government has not included in the bill things that are clearly necessary, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State will know that we in the Commons and others in the Lords will improve it.
If anything is left out of the bill, it can be and will be improved.
I have spent over 16 years trying to get justice for leaseholders. Campaigners nationwide have fought tirelessly for progress. For too long there has been slow, lacklustre action from successive Governments of all parties to bring justice to the millions of innocent leaseholders in England and Wales.
We have the chance of major progress in a bi-partisan area and to deliver for those denied the ability to live freely and safely in their own home.
This year, that will change.
