They push dishonest figures on homelessness and council funding – but the belief of Labour councillors in their own civic virtue remains constant.
In Government, Labour built on the work of George Young in doing so. Now it’s time for some cross-party co-operation in reverse.
Aside from the dreadful human cost, homelessness is very expensive.
Bob Blackman’s Bill offers new hope for people in desperate need.
Huge council public health budgets are largely wasted – they should fund specialist help to avert rough sleeping.
The problem is growing without society really noticing, in the same way that crack cocaine swept across the USA in the mid-1980s.
The Government must accept the financial consequences of the rules that are imposed.
It‘s time to abolish the failed system of rejecting ‘non-priority‘ cases.
Far too many people are denied help because they are deemed to be insufficiently vulnerable.
Rather than building more hostels let’s ensure those currently in them have the chance to leave.
Doing so would change lives and save taxpayers’ money.
But why does the council retain ownership of empty buildings for so long?
This other Nordic country is doing a lot to tackle homelessness.
So said Grant Shapps, eight years ago. Conservatives shouldn’t forget it now.
It can be done, but it requires a great deal of political ambition.