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.<\/p>\n
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 \u00a0“a vote for stability – economic and political<\/a>. A politics that treads more lightly on all our lives, a vote to stop the chaos.”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was ‘time to get the Conservatives out of office’.<\/p>\n Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, external affairs and research at CIOB<\/a>, said: \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n “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.\u201d<\/p>\n RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: \u201cThis is a pivotal moment for our country as we move into a General Election[…]\u00a0Policies 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 \u2013 the time to act is now.<\/p>\n “All political parties must set out bold and comprehensive plans to deliver a sustainable built environment, using architects\u2019 expertise, that strengthen communities and enrich people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive at The UK Green Building Council<\/a> said: \u201cWith 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the \u2018built environment election\u2019, and the UKGBC, with our members, have a raft of solutions that will allow a new government to deliver at pace and scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB)<\/a> said: \u201cFor 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.”<\/p>\n Rico Wojtulewicz, the NFB’s head of policy and market insight, added: \u201cHousing and construction were not mentioned as one of the Prime Minister\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Chief executive of the National Housing Federation<\/a> Kate Henderson reiterated her call for a housing plan across all parties.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8With the #GeneralElection<\/a> confirmed for 4 July a reminder that @natfednews<\/a> is calling for all political parties to commit to a long-term #PlanForHousing<\/a> \ud83c\udfe1<\/p>\n \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f here\u2019s our campaign toolkit https:\/\/t.co\/eKf84950OX<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udde3\ufe0fBrilliant to see social housing sector speaking with one voice<\/p>\n — Kate Henderson (@KateNHF) May 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIndustry reactions to the General Election announcement:<\/h3>\n
The Housing Crisis will be a focal topic in campaigning<\/h3>\n
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