We'll build the homes we need, without destroying the countryside, pledges Starmer during West Midland visit

The Prime Minister said he would build the houses that were needed in the West Midlands, without destroying the countryside, when he visited the region to launch Labour’s local election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer was told how thousands of people had signed petitions against proposals to build hundreds of homes in greenbelt areas, including Boningale Homes’ plans to build 800 new homes on greenfield land in Albrighton.

He was joined by deputy party leader Lucy Powell and cabinet minister Pat McFadden for the national launch of the party’s local election campaign in Wolverhampton.

Sir Keir told the Shropshire Star he had no intention of ploughing up the countryside, but said that there would be times when development in the green belt would be necessary.

Labour pledged that it would build 1.5 million new homes at the 2024 General Election, but a new report has said the Government is on track to miss that target by 400,000.

In an interview with the Star, the Prime Minister said: “We need to build more houses, because a home of your own is a secure base camp on which lives are built, the dream of home ownership as good as extinguished under the last government and I’m determined to turn that around.

“As to where we will build them, obviously we will consult with local people, always going for the not greenfield sites first.

“And where there are greenbelt sites, it will only be things like disused car parks, things you might call the grey belt, nobody’s going into the beautiful countryside, in any way destroying land.

“What we are talking about is building the homes we need, working with local communities who want the homes, so many people say that their children can’t live near them because they can’t afford a home near them, they want that turned around, I completely understand that ambition.

“We are saying that we will look at the green belt, I have seen an example of a green belt site that was a car park that was not being used, and a brownfield site which was beautiful countryside, and that doesn’t make sense to me.

“We will work with local people and build the houses they need where they need them.”

Sir Keir Starmer pledged to fight for Labour values during his speech, as the party approaches the May 7 elections struggling in the polls and facing challenges from both Reform UK to the Right and a resurgent Green Party to the Left.

He said: “This is about pride and hope. That is the political choice in this election.

“Our opponents respond to this war on two fronts by dividing our communities.

“We meet this test by unlocking the pride that is our communities.

“We’re going to fight to earn every vote. Fight for our values. And fight for the country we are building together, a Britain built for all.

“Because, in the context of everything that is happening in the world. Those values, that fairness we stand for, it’s never been more important.”

He said that the reduction in the energy prices, due to come into force on Wednesday next week, and the end of the two-child benefit cap, would help thousands of families cope with the rising cost of living.

He said by lifting children out of poverty, Labour would improve their life chances, creating a ‘generational change’.

May’s local elections represent a major test for the Prime Minister, with some warning a disastrous result could spell the end of his premiership.

Pollster Lord Hayward warned earlier in March that Labour faced a ‘very substantial’ threat, especially following a series of ‘absolutely horrendous’ council by-election results.

But Sir Keir said: “We meet this moment with hope. The hope of an NHS where waiting lists are coming down – and they are.

“The hope of a country where wages for working people are rising – and they are.

“And the hope of a country where poverty is being slashed and our children have a better future – and it is.

“That is what we are building. That is what we are fighting for.”