Deputy Prime Minister Faces Criticism Over Allotment Sales
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Housing, has faced intense criticism after being accused of hypocrisy over her stance on allotments. While she once championed the cause of community gardens in her own constituency, she has since approved the sale of allotment plots in other parts of the country.
Before Labour came to power, Ms. Rayner highlighted the importance of community sites, describing one as a “fantastic initiative.” However, since the party took control of the government, she has personally authorized the sale of eight allotment plots across the UK. These sales have raised concerns among local residents and activists who believe that the government is undermining the protection of these green spaces.
Under the Allotments Act 1925, council-owned allotments are generally protected from development or sale. However, this can be overridden with approval from the housing minister. In recent months, several allotments have been sold under Ms. Rayner’s leadership. For instance, one site in Storrington, West Sussex, was sold to make way for 78 new homes. Similarly, two plots in Bolsover, Derbyshire, are set to be closed.
The situation comes at a time when local councils are facing a reported £8 billion funding shortfall by the end of this Parliament. This financial pressure has led to difficult decisions about how to allocate resources, including the potential sale of land that has long been used for growing food and fostering community spirit.
Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party, has criticized Ms. Rayner for what he sees as a betrayal of allotments. He claimed that she had “put the nail in the coffin” of these community spaces by allowing councils to sell off the land. As an allotment holder himself, Mr. Corbyn expressed concern that such moves would “fill many with deep dismay.”
Just three years ago, Ms. Rayner visited a community garden in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, where she praised the initiative. On her website, she wrote about the positive impact of the project, stating that it helped people through tough times and reduced loneliness and isolation in the area. She also mentioned that the garden provided free food through regular open days and supported those struggling with the cost of living crisis.
In addition to the Droylsden allotment, Ms. Rayner has highlighted other projects in her constituency, including an allotment program run by Curzon Ashton Football Club for ex-servicemen and women dealing with loneliness.
Tory housing spokesman Paul Holmes has accused Ms. Rayner of being an “arch-hypocrite,” suggesting that she supports the sale of allotments in other areas but not in her own backyard. He criticized her for declaring war on Jeremy Corbyn’s cherished allotments and warned that this could lead to further internal conflict within the Labour Party.
However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing defended the sales, stating that only half of the approvals last year were under the current Labour government, with the other half coming from the previous Conservative administration. They emphasized that the number of approvals was lower than in previous years and stressed that strict legal criteria remain in place to protect allotments.
The spokesperson added, “It is simply untrue to suggest there is any change in the policy. The rules have been in place since 2016 and have not changed.” They reiterated the importance of allotments for communities and the need to maintain their protection.
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