Although the General Election was known to be happening this year, Rishi Sunak took the UK by surprise yesterday by setting a date for the 4th July
With many not expecting the General Election until later in 2024, politicians and policymakers will now be scrambling to prepare for a fast and furious six weeks of campaigning.
Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement as “a moment the country needs – and has been waiting for”, going on to say that a vote for Labour was “a vote for stability – economic and political. A politics that treads more lightly on all our lives, a vote to stop the chaos.”
A rain-drenched Sunak made his case by saying that he had always been “honest with you about what is needed, even when that’s been difficult, because I’m guided by doing what is right for our country, not what is easy.”
“I can’t say the same thing for the Labour Party, because I don’t know what they offer and in truth I don’t think you know either. And that’s because they have no plan, there is no bold action and as a result the future can only be uncertain with them.
New SNP leader and Scottish first minister John Swinney said that the timing of the 2024 general election was “pretty typical of the lack of respect shown to Scotland”, as it falls when some schools have closed for the summer and families may be away on holiday.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was ‘time to get the Conservatives out of office’.
Industry reactions to the General Election announcement:
Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, external affairs and research at CIOB, said: “We look forward to the publication of the party manifestos to see what each one is proposing on matters key to the built environment sector including housing, levelling up, education and skills, sustainability and building safety.
“Our own manifesto will be published next week and between now and July 4 we will be actively contacting prospective parliamentary candidates to stress the important role our industry plays in the economy as well as in the safety and wellbeing of the communities it builds for, to ensure the next government, whoever that may be, understands how it can better support the sector to thrive.”
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “This is a pivotal moment for our country as we move into a General Election[…] Policies that usher in the next generation of social housing and establish a National Retrofit Strategy must be at the heart of this election campaign and delivered by the next Government. The clock is ticking – the time to act is now.
“All political parties must set out bold and comprehensive plans to deliver a sustainable built environment, using architects’ expertise, that strengthen communities and enrich people’s lives.”
Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive at The UK Green Building Council said: “With the linked environmental, nature and cost of living crises; this is the most important election in a generation. Our buildings are the nexus of how we can solve many of these pressing challenges while delivering homes, offices and public buildings that are warmer, more comfortable, cheaper to run, and which tread lighter on the planet.
“This is the ‘built environment election’, and the UKGBC, with our members, have a raft of solutions that will allow a new government to deliver at pace and scale.”
The Housing Crisis will be a focal topic in campaigning
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) said: “For construction, these next six weeks are a chance to hammer home to all parties how construction has been let down, where decisions have worked and continue to support our sector and where reform is desperately needed.”
Rico Wojtulewicz, the NFB’s head of policy and market insight, added: “Housing and construction were not mentioned as one of the Prime Minister’s successes and unfortunately this is because housing and construction have been failed by this Government. If Britain is to grow sustainably, its next government needs to reform planning, understand the commercial impacts of its decision and most importantly, talk to those they will rely on to implement their promises.”
Chief executive of the National Housing Federation Kate Henderson reiterated her call for a housing plan across all parties.
🚨With the #GeneralElection confirmed for 4 July a reminder that @natfednews is calling for all political parties to commit to a long-term #PlanForHousing 🏡
🛠️ here’s our campaign toolkit https://t.co/eKf84950OX
🗣️Brilliant to see social housing sector speaking with one voice
— Kate Henderson (@KateNHF) May 22, 2024
Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe said: “Both parties have pledged to build 300,000 houses per year. It’s vital that we hold the incoming government accountable for this promise.
“This requires secure funding for social housing, and an improved planning process, as typically permissions currently take between 12 months and 2 years instead of the ideal 3 months, causing lengthy delays. In short, we need more housing as a decade of insufficient construction has left the UK over 1 million homes short.
“This housing shortage directly impacts quality of life, education standards and health standards, which need to be addressed in this upcoming election and indirectly this will ease the pressure of another major political hot potato which is immigration.”
Dave Dargan, CEO and co-founder of Starship: “Affordable housing must be a central focus in both parties’ pledges for the upcoming general election. Quality housing significantly impacts health, education and overall living standards – issues that are set to dominate the national debate in the next six weeks. Strong and committed leadership is essential to ensure more homes are built, with modern methods of construction playing a crucial role.
“While both parties have pledged to meet the target of building 300,000 homes, it’s not just a numbers game, prioritising low-carbon housing is vital given the housing crisis has worsened. We need to provide homes that do not put energy cost pressure on families, as spending less on energy frees up more disposable income that ends up in the wider economy.”
