Islington's Lib Dem council is facing a humiliating climb down over its core housing policy - as the Government steps in to support a campaign for more affordable housing by Islington's Labour MPs and councillors.
A long-running campaign by Emily Thornberry, Jeremy Corbyn, and local Labour councillors has been urging Islington Council to accept a target of 50% affordable housing across all new developments. However, despite new Government planning rules issued last week, the council has continued its defiance and refused to accept the target.
In October, Lib Dem councillors voted against a borough-wide target of 50%, instead opting to apply the 50% rule only to large developments of 10 units or more - which make up only a small number of the total developments in Islington. Labour politicians reacted angrily - saying this rule would mean that more than 4 out of every 5 developments would include no affordable housing.
In an attempt to increase the number of affordable homes in Islington, a delegation including Ms Thornberry, Mr Corbyn, and local Labour councillors met the Government Housing Minister at the House of Commons in October. They urged her to intervene and force Islington Council to take a tougher line on developers.
Last week, the Government responded by issuing new planning rules which will force Islington to set a borough-wide target for affordable housing. Yet in last night's full council meeting, the Lib Dem councillors voted to defy the Government's instruction.
Emily said:
"The Labour line on this is clear: half of all new homes in Islington must be affordable. That's what Jeremy and I've been saying, what Ken's been saying, and what the Labour councillors in Islington have been saying. Now the Government has said to Islington Council they must change their planning rules. They are going to have to build more affordable housing and stop letting developers off the hook"
