Conservative Party Conference 2024: Is Housing Still a Priority?
NRLA Public Affairs Officer Mia Rotaru reflects on the key discussions from this year’s Conservative Party Conference, examining the major issues and their potential impact on the private rented sector.
This year’s Conservative Party Conference, held in Birmingham, maintained an upbeat atmosphere despite recent challenges, with the conference focused on the party’s future plans.
A key topic of reflection was the leadership election, as the party prepares for a future after Rishi Sunak. Four candidates remain in the race to become the next Conservative leader, each making their case to party members.
Is the PRS still a priority for the Conservatives?
With the Government advancing its Renters' Rights Bill, Conservatives are now rethinking their strategy to address the housing crisis. The Renters (Reform) Bill, once the party’s flagship housing policy, no longer sits at the centre of the Conservatives’ agenda, prompting party members to reflect on how to regain control of the debate.
Housing was a key focus at this year’s conference, with a recurring theme across all panels 'the need to build more'.
During a panel titled 'Build or Block? The Future of Conservative Housing Policy', former Housing Minister Rachel Maclean highlighted that while the Government’s housing targets are ambitious, they must also be pragmatic.
She stressed the need for not just more homes but better-quality ones.
Former Housing Secretary Michael Gove weighed in on the issue of housing affordability and its effects on wealth inequality.
He called for an increase in supply, including social housing, but stressed the importance of maintaining a 'thriving private rented sector,' which he argued is essential for the economy. Gove also referenced the NRLA’s interpretation of the Government’s Renters' Rights Bill, describing it as the 'most effective critique'.
Social housing also took centre stage, with panel discussions highlighting the need for a broader strategic perspective.
While there is consensus within the Conservatives Party about the necessity of expanding the social housing stock, the conversation consistently turned to the quality of planning and robust infrastructure.
Delegates stressed that future housing policy should focus on long-term, sustainable growth, ensuring that new developments are supported by robust infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning.
Where next for the Conservatives on housing?
As the party approaches the leadership election, housing remains one of its greatest challenges. The question now is whether it can present a compelling vision for the future of the private rented sector.
While much of the conference focussed on increasing housing supply, it’s clear that the party’s approach is shifting toward a deeper and more nuanced vision: quality over quantity.
As the party deals with its new position as the opposition for the first time in 14 years, it faces the challenge of redefining its PRS agenda, not just by addressing the immediate demand for more homes, but also by crafting a long-term vision that balances strategic growth with infrastructure and planning.
