Haringey Liberal Democrats have warned the public not to rely on Labour’s pledge to provide 1,000 new council homes by 2022.
The commitment on housing was one of five key pledges in Labour’s manifesto – but the Lib Dems have suggested the party’s funding plans do not stack up.
Dawn Barnes, Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Hornsey and Wood Green, claimed Labour was likely to break its housing pledge.
She said: “Labour’s manifesto makes a big promise but offers no evidence they can deliver on it if re-elected. They have copied the Liberal Democrat proposal for a council-owned housing company but not any of the funding proposals to back it up.”
The HDV came under fire from left-wing councillors and campaigners who feared it would not provide the affordable housing needed by the borough’s residents.
But the Liberal Democrats, who claim they were the first to float the idea of a wholly-owned company, said Labour had broken its promises on housing before.
Ms Barnes said: “Their 2014 manifesto pledged to ‘deliver 250 new council homes’. However, they have only delivered 29 new homes.
“With trust between the council and social tenants at a low ebb after the HDV debacle, Labour are in danger of harming it further with broken pledges.”
The Labour Party refused to comment on the Liberal Democrats’ allegations.
Speaking after the launch of the manifesto, the council’s deputy leader, Cllr Joe Ejiofor, gave assurances that the pledges were fully costed and could be delivered over the four-year term of the next administration – despite ongoing austerity measures from the Government.
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