UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Deputy PM Angela Rayner drew backlash for approving communal allotment sales, sparking claims of hypocrisy despite her earlier praise for community gardens.
As reported by The Telegraph, Angela Rayner supported allotments locally but allowed communal gardens to be sold in other regions. She faces accusations of double standards, backing local allotments while approving others to be sold.
According to last month’s report, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government allowed cash-strapped councils to sell allotments to raise funds.
What did Angela Rayner say about supporting local allotments?
Angela Rayner’s approval of allotment sell-offs conflicts with her earlier backing of a community garden for children with special needs.
She said the allotment gave the children
“the chance to have fun and meet other local families in an environment that was secure.”
The Deputy PM, during her time in opposition, praised her constituency’s allotments for building community ties. Just before the 2024 election, she visited Curzon Ashton FC, which runs an allotment program supporting veterans.
The Housing Secretary praised the initiative, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant, to support ex-servicemen and women facing isolation.
She visited a Droylsden allotment in October 2022, calling it a “fantastic initiative.”
At that time, she posted on her website,
“Those who work on the allotment say the initiative has also helped them through some tough times and reduced loneliness and isolation in the area.”
Ms Rayner said,
“Members have used donated wood to make planters, trestles and troughs to grow tomatoes, strawberries, corn and pumpkins.”
She added,
“They hold regular open days where residents can turn up and take food for free. The fruit and veg bags are topped up with store cupboard essentials to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis.”
What did Paul Holmes say about Rayner’s allotment sell-offs?
Paul Holmes MP, the shadow housing minister, stated,
“Rayner has been exposed as an arch-hypocrite, the ultimate Nimby who thinks selling off everyone else’s allotments is fine – just not in her back yard.”
He said,
“By declaring war on Jeremy Corbyn’s treasured allotments, she has sown the seeds for the next iteration of Labour’s Left-wing civil war.”
Mr Holmes added,
“Rather than trying to prune her rivals by any means necessary, perhaps she should grow up and focus on what the country really needs to cultivate.”
What did Jeremy Corbyn say about the future of community allotments?
Jeremy Corbyn, forming a new party to challenge Labour, said Rayner’s actions deal a “nail in the coffin” to community allotments.
He said,
“Of course, social housing is desperately needed, but we need not sacrifice these vital green spaces to build it.”
Mr Corbyn added,
“We can build on ex-industrial land and take over empty properties. Even then, we should ensure social housing is accompanied by community gardens and adequate growing space.”
He stated,
“Is this government going to put the nail in the coffin of the joy of digging ground for potatoes on a cold, wet February Sunday afternoon? The battle for the grass roots is on!”
What did the Housing Department say about allotment sales rules?
A spokesman for Ms Rayner’s department stated,
“We know how important allotments are for communities, and that is why strict legal criteria are in place to protect them.”
They 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. Ministerial approvals for the sale of allotments in 2024 were lower than the average for recent years.”
How has Angela Rayner approved the sale of communal allotments?
Since Labour took power, Ms Rayner has approved the sale of eight communal allotment sites.
Allotments in Storrington, West Sussex, have been sold for 78 homes, while two sites in Bolsover, Derbyshire, will also be closed.
The Allotment Act 1925 mandates Westminster approval for any allotment site sales.
Labour government housing target
The UK aims to build 1.5 million new homes over five years, requiring about 300,000 homes per year.
Currently, only 200,000–250,000 homes are built annually, needing a 20–50% increase to meet the target.