Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:24 pm on 18 July 2017.
Not only do I accept there should always be social housing stock, I think for very many people by far the best option for them is social housing, and we should meet that demand, and build more social homes. That’s what we need to do. And I just wish that the Government had brought forward policies on that basis, to meet the undoubted crisis that we are in in general on house building.
I now have to conclude, as time is running short. Regrettably, Chair, the Welsh Conservative Party is in a minority on this subject. I’m enough of a realist to acknowledge that. So, assuming that this motion will pass—not with our help—we will then, as a party, move to the next stage and seek to constructively amend the Bill. Our main priority will be to strike the correct balance between the rights of tenants to a reasonable transition period—all tenants—and, if it’s the will of the Assembly, an end to the right to buy. That will be our main focus.
Chair, can I just say finally—