Comments on: The politics of poverty

By: Denis Cooper

Denis Cooper — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:01:46 +0000

I often poke around on the EU’s europa website:

the sheer scope of which might be something of an eye-opener for some people.

I mean, those who are just dimly aware that we’re in this thing called “Europe”.

As taxpayers we have paid for this and the other EU websites, and they’re quite safe; the only problem is that it can be time-consuming to track down all the items which are relevant to a particular topic.

By: Neil Craig

Neil Craig — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:11:08 +0000

Thank you Stuart. Considering the very high opinion I hold of Mr Redwood & of discussion here generally I am immensely flattered by that.

I will check out your book & hope you click on my name & check my blog. I think you will approve of most of it.

By: Stuart Fairney

Stuart Fairney — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:12:33 +0000

Congrats on the research, If I may, do you go to this website directly or is there another you use?

By: Stuart Fairney

Stuart Fairney — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:11:38 +0000

I would never advocate ignoring the law, no do I, but it is clear that vast numbers of people will and thus more “criminals” will be prosecuted and the figures will look better.

I fear that deep down all the piddling, pettyfogging legislation IS an attempt to drive out the private sector. I was at a reception with a number of labour supporting types recently and the news that I was a Landlord was met with utter horror and disgust ~ seriously. Only the government should do it apparently, and if you can’t ban freedom to invest directly, just make it impossible practically.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:48:26 +0000

Agree fully that tennants need protection, but so do landlords as well, otherwise there will be no private houses to let.
Real life Example:
A neighbour let out his property, a 4 beroom modern house in good condition whilst he worked abroad for 3 years.
let on a full maintainance contract with local agent (in Wokingham as it happens)
Came back to his home after 12 months to find tennant had absconded without paying the last 3 months rent, to find all of the internal doors were missing, turns out these had been burnt on the open fire to save the cost of heating with gas.
2 Skips had to be hired to clear out all of the rubbish which had been left behind.
Kitchen and bathroom had been trashed and needed replacement and the whole house had to be re-carpeted and decorated.
Agree most tennants and landlords are OK but:
A contract should cut both ways, both should have protection and safeguards from each other.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:06:43 +0000

Yes, things will get brutal when the state collapses, unemployment and poverty are about to rocket.
The real problem is going to be food, we will probably see a lot of starvation, given we won’t be able to afford to import as much as before.
I can’t see how this won’t end in revolution.

By: james barr

james barr — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:03:43 +0000

I always felt Blair was insincere. Events proved me right. Obama strikes me as being more genuine. You are right to say that he doesn’t suffer from the brooding presence of Gordon Brown. Lucky fellow. I’ll leave you with this thought. Has there ever been a less talented Cabinet? Jacqui Smith at the Home Office says it all. John has always been portrayed by Labour and their pathetic spin doctors as a radical, as someone dangerous for the economy. If only we had people of his calibre and independence of thought running the country. Balls, Cooper, Milliband, Harman,Jowell, McNulty, Milliband (again), Smith, Prescott, Straw….can someone please tell me of any one policy these people have enacted which has been for the common good?

By: JG

JG — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:42:49 +0000

Both Brown and Obama have to pay the piper for the massive bailouts. This can only be done by taxing and closing loopholes. It’s going to take years, if not generations, to pay off the national debt.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:31:08 +0000

agree SOME private landlords.
Also SOME private tennants.
I have seen first hand how some tennants treat a rented property.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:27:17 +0000

Stuart agree with most of your points.
Have yet to see a legal regulation introduced which covers the landlord when a tennant trashes the house and absconds, or does not pay rent.
My understanding is that only 3 months rent can be held against such a possible action, (new deposit scheme)
But legally I understand that you have to give the tennant 2 months notice to quit.
Hence in actual fact you only have one months rent to cover damage, cleaning, non payment etc.
Like all things we should have a sensible balance for both sides, unfortunately we now seem to be getting out of balance.
The new deposit scheme seems to me to be no more than a modified escrow account (usually held by a solicitor) a system which has been used for years.
Funny how the papers never seem to pick up those rogue tennants who abuse a landlords property, or who are proffessional non payers.
If landlords are now to have a licence those who for whatever reason had to move property without selling, perhaps due to movement of work etc, will now probably decide not to rent out at all because of the hassle.
I would suggest that this new regulation has been bought in simply to find those who rent out property, and who do not declare it on their tax return.
The fee will increase over the years. I guarantee it, and so rents will rise to cover it.
At the moment the tennant usually pays the deposit fee to the holding company.
Soon they will be paying more in water rates, community charge, deposit fees, and landlord licences than they do in rent !!!!!
Landlords will be paying for all of the services that you mention, as well as maintainance, and will make little, so why bother. !!!!!