In a landmark speech that set the stage for the next general election, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared that a Labour government would unleash the biggest planning reform in a generation to tackle Britain's housing crisis head-on.
The Builders, Not Blockers Revolution
Addressing a packed hall at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Reeves positioned Labour as the party of economic competence and radical reform. "We are the builders, not the blockers," she proclaimed, drawing a clear line between Labour's vision and what she described as 13 years of Conservative economic failure.
The centrepiece of her economic agenda involves constructing 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament through sweeping changes to Britain's planning system. This ambitious target represents the most significant housing programme announced by any major political party in recent years.
Taking On the Housing Crisis
Reeves didn't shy away from the scale of the challenge, acknowledging that "the dream of home ownership is now out of reach for too many young people." Her solution includes:
- Reforming planning laws to fast-track new housing developments
- Reinstating mandatory housing targets for local authorities
- Investing in infrastructure to support new communities
- Prioritizing brownfield sites while being "pragmatic" about green belt use
Banning No-Fault Evictions
In one of the most applauded moments of her speech, Reeves committed to immediately banning Section 21 no-fault evictions if Labour wins power. This long-promised reform would provide greater security for millions of private renters across England.
"The right to a safe, secure home is the most basic right of all," she told conference delegates, positioning housing as a fundamental Labour value rather than just another policy area.
Economic Stability as the Foundation
Reeves positioned herself as the inheritor of New Labour's economic legacy, repeatedly emphasizing fiscal responsibility and economic stability. She pledged that every Labour policy would be "fully costed and fully funded," seeking to reassure voters and markets alike.
"I know the British people will not forgive a government that does not know the value of money," she said, in a clear dig at the Truss government's mini-budget that triggered market turmoil exactly one year earlier.
Contrasting Visions for Britain
The Shadow Chancellor painted a stark picture of two competing visions for Britain's future: Labour's focus on "security, stability, and national renewal" versus what she described as the Conservatives' record of "chaos, crisis, and decline."
Her speech carefully balanced radical ambition with economic caution, reflecting Labour's dual challenge of inspiring change while proving they can be trusted with the public finances.
The Road to the Next Election
With a general election expected within the next year, Reeves' speech served as a crucial economic prospectus for a potential Labour government. The emphasis on housebuilding and rental reform targets key voter demographics, particularly younger voters and those struggling to get on the housing ladder.
As conference delegates left the hall, the message was clear: Labour believes the path to Downing Street runs through solving Britain's housing crisis and restoring economic credibility.
