MPs support Federation housing pledge
Monday 10 May 2010
While the complexion of the government to emerge from last week's election is still unclear, one success for the sector has already been secured.
In the run up to the election, the National Housing Federation and its members managed to persuade 85 of those candidates who were elected on Thursday to sign up to the Federation's affordable housing pledge.
This means that, while the main party leaders are still locked in negotiations around the composition of the next government, around 16% of MPs already back the delivery of decent homes and communities as a key priority.
Nine per cent of Conservative MPs in the new Parliament signed the pledge, 19% of the Liberal Democrat MPs signed it and 18% of Labour MPs signed up to it. The Green Party's first ever MP Caroline Lucas also signed the pledge.
Nearly 30 MPs entering the House of Commons for the first time signed the pledge. During the campaign, the pledge was signed by a total of 324 prospective parliamentary candidates.
The text of the promise reads: 'I pledge to back the building of more affordable homes and to work towards all constituents having access to decent, affordable housing in safe and sustainable communities'.
To find out whether your local MP has signed up, you can find a full list on our Election 2010 web pages.
Contact your MP
Even though the complexion of the new government is still unclear, there is no need to delay contacting your local MP.
The Federation believes that nothing beats personal experience as a way to help politicians understand the contribution that housing associations make to their communities, so we particularly encourage members to invite local MPs to visit the best of housing association projects and homes in the constituency.
The Federation has published a briefing for members on planning your post-election strategy. It includes tips on how to identify, research and engage with your local MP.
Although many new MPs will not be given an office in Westminster until late May, they can still be contacted at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
Please bear in mind that MPs' office staff may not yet in be in place, so your invitation may need to be followed up in June.
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