Cabinet minister and Labour leader face off on housing amid party controversies

On Thursday, Cabinet minister Michael Gove and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited construction sites, with both leaders attempting to discuss housing policies. However, their visits were overshadowed by separate controversies within their parties.

Gove was expected to highlight the Conservative Party’s housing agenda, but instead found himself responding to fresh turmoil surrounding allegations that members of his party had been betting on the date of the upcoming General Election. This controversy diverted attention away from his planned housing discussions.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer was forced to deny reports that a Labour party official had suggested that a future Labour government might “flatten the whole green belt” as part of its strategy to meet homebuilding targets. The suggestion quickly became a point of contention, requiring Starmer to clarify the party’s position on green spaces and housing development.

Despite these distractions, both leaders visited construction sites to highlight their commitment to addressing the UK’s housing crisis, although their messages were overshadowed by the ongoing political debates.