One down. Two to go. Notes from afar - Liberal Democrat Conference 2023:
The recently concluded Lib Dem Conference bought to the forefront a pressing issue that has been simmering beneath the surface of British politics for years – housing.
Janey Little may not be a household name but she has certainly has made her name in connection to the building of new homes. Janey is the Chair of the Young Liberals who this week forced an upset against the old guard and reinstated the Lib Dems' policy position to support the need to promote housing targets across England.
The party's policy motion supporting national housing targets ignites a fierce internal debate, but it also highlights the stark generational divide in the country around the need for new homes.
In turn this conflict places significant pressure on local authorities like Mid Sussex, Lewes, and Maidenhead who voted Liberal Democrat in May's elections as a backlash to the Tories' attempt to resolve the housing crisis. This puts these new administrations at odds with their electorate and their party.
No doubt next week with the Conservatives taking central stage in Manchester the need to meet the expectations of Generation Rent will not go unchallenged. The question is - will they be able to offer a solution?
For those followers and lovers of merch "Build more bloody T-shirts" are available from the Young Liberals website.
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