How should Oxford respond to Angela Rayner's homes targets?

Among the many beautifully paradoxical expressions to come out of this week’s Oxford Times front page story was a comment from councillor Eddie Reeves.

Mr Reeves made reference to the phenomenon of “carpeting over the countryside” - which immediately brings to mind a giant of housing policy, maybe Angela Rayner, gleefully unravelling a roll of slick red material over luscious green terrain.

READ MORE: Complaints over Oxford Botley Road workers 'doing nothing'

Except the material is not slick and red – but bumpy and varied – with one half ‘affordable’ and the other half ‘market’.

Eddie Reeves. (Image: Cherwell District Council.)

Bumpy, varied and sometimes unevenly presented. Much like discussion around the contentious topic of housing in our county these days.

Labour councillors of course welcome the government’s new upping of housing targets for local districts.

Some Green councillors are among those who have expressed reservations and a desire to “protect green spaces”.

Liberal Democrat South Oxfordshire council leader David Rouane acknowledges more housing is needed but says he does not think there is enough existing infrastructure – such as in the form of dentists and doctors – to accommodate this.

If you go up to the average person on the street – and set out to explain methodically, with factual ‘evidence’ and a spreadsheet, why the county needs homes – the only fact that should probably be taken for certain is that you won’t be able to change their mind.

David Rouane. (Image: Contribution.)

Most people think in principles. They will either take a principled and ‘progressive’ view that more housebuilding is a good thing.

Or they will principally disagree with building over green space.

It is high time the discourse around homes reflected this and addressed these deeply held views, if politicians wish to see progress or compromise.

It is time that politicians realised the challenge they are up against when they set about to convince people that more houses are necessary.

Often, listing a load of statistics just won’t cut it. People either want houses or they don’t.

To change people’s views, a more philosophical approach is in order.

Angela Rayner.

A main concern people have is population rise. Those more on the conservative side will often blame immigration for increased demand.

Anyone who thinks this is a “scapegoat” concern must be able to debunk it, clearly.

People are living longer and the composition of the average household is changing - that’s for sure.

Others worry building over green space is irreversible and will have a negative impact on people’s wellbeing. Again, those who disagree should debunk it.

Instead, what we often have is a discourse that appears to skirt around these topics without addressing those fundamental questions and deeply-held views.

Houses in Oxford. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

And so the real paradox appears to be this: working people want affordable homes - but increasingly, a far higher number of working people in the last few decades are voting for parties sceptical of housebuilding.

Our front page presents the information and the viewpoints. But if politicians really want to change people’s minds, they must win over their hearts.

Perhaps one way to do this might be through thinking up beautiful alternatives to Mr Reeves' “carpeting over” the county analogy.

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi