
The Liberal Democrat deputy leader today strongly criticised David Cameron's suggestion of bringing an end to 'council housing for life'.
4 AUG 10 Daily Mail
In a sign the move could spark a highly-damaging row within the coalition, Simon Hughes said his party would need a 'lot of persuading' into backing it.
Mr Hughes dismissed the prospect as a 'prime ministerial idea', warned it risked breaking up communities and pointed out the current security on offer was 'important'.
He signalled his party's opposition after Mr Cameron yesterday suggested security of tenure for council tenants could be entirely scrapped.
This would see the most radical reform in housing since Margaret Thatcher introduced the 'Right to Buy' 30 years ago.
Tenants would instead have a lease lasting five or ten years so that those with greater need could have their homes if they found a better job or could afford to rent privately.
It would also mean that parents whose children have flown the nest could be forced to move into smaller homes so a larger family can take over their house.
Mr Hughes said: 'It's radical ideas coming from progressive Prime Ministers but it's no more than that. It's a prime ministerial idea - it has no more validity yet and I think our party would need a lot of persuading that it has merit or could work.'