Jeremy Corbyn has reignited tensions with the Labour government by accusing Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner of facilitating the destruction of England’s treasured allotments.
The former Labour leader strongly criticized recent proposals revealed as part of the government’s beleaguered housing programme. Parliamentary records from last month indicate that Ms. Rayner, as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, approved the clearance of eight allotments since the last general election.
These threatened allotment sites stretch across Somerset, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, West Sussex, Derbyshire, and Kent.
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Speaking out against the decision, Corbyn warned it would spark “deep dismay” among local communities, as reported by the Express.
An avid horticulturalist and advocate for community gardening from Islington, Corbyn emphasized that the government’s move to allow developers to pave over these green spaces makes their future “perilous.”
He explained, “Allotments have been vital during times of national challenge. Many originated during the First and Second World Wars, including the one I personally tend in north London, many of which still endure today.
“Once lost, allotments never return. Their disappearance impoverishes us all, distancing people from food production and nature.
“Allotments serve as crucial hubs for community cohesion, biodiversity, and social solidarity. These shared growing spaces, which cannot be privately fenced, provide opportunities for many who lack private gardens to cultivate fruit, vegetables, and connect with nature.”
Corbyn concluded his remarks by declaring that the “battle for the grassroots is on,” warning that these actions could worsen the nation’s mental health crisis by stripping communities of vital green spaces.
Responding, a spokesperson for Ms. Rayner’s Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government said councils are only permitted to sell off allotments “where it is clearly necessary and offers value for money.”
“We understand how important allotments are for communities, which is why strict protections are in place, alongside safeguarding school playing fields,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, Sir James Cleverly, Conservative counterpart to Ms. Rayner, criticized the proposals as a “kick in the teeth” to those without private gardens.
“With the Labour Government encouraging councils to sell off playing fields, this approach exemplifies Labour’s tendency to build on parks and green spaces instead of prioritizing appropriate sites for new homes,” he stated.