From Matthew Goldsmith, a writer working with BND Abrasives, specialising in housing, politics and construction policy.
The recent cabinet reshuffle has seen the ousting of Esther McVey and the placing of Christopher Pincher, the MP from Tantworth and former minister for Europe and the Americas, into the troubled position of housing and planning minister. With 10 different ministers in as many years, Pincher is inheriting a troubled ministry with a number of notable challenges ahead.
We’ve taken a deep dive into his voting history to see what we can learn of his beliefs.
Housing
Pincher’s voting record on housing issues is remarkably short for the man who is set to helm British housing policy for the next 6-12 months (if past tenure lengths are anything to go by). Theyworkforyou.com displays that Pincher has “consistently voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life”. Meaning that he is a consistent supporter of legislation that would curtail the number of “secure tenants” in council housing, tenants who will generally live in council housing for the rest of their lives and have controlled rents. This is good news for landlords and property developers but worrying news for anyone seeking long term council housing.
Pincher has also consistently voted in favour of the “bedroom tax”. The Tax that would reduce benefits for tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms for the number of residents. This policy has been and remains contentious, with seventy conservatives ignoring a three-line whip on the vote, Pincher’s consistency in his voting on this issue might be an indication as to why he has the post he now does. Johnson’s new government, much like Trump’s, rewards party loyalty amongst its ranks.
Corporate Tax
Pincher has been a long term proponent of lowering the corporate tax rate, voting in favour of legislation that would lower the corporate tax rate 24 times out of a total of 26 (1 vote against and 1 absence). This is a signal to the major players in construction and housing that our government’s position on the corporate tax level will stay the same and we shouldn’t expect any major overhauls anytime soon.
Brexit
Pincher has not been as monolithic on issues relating to the EU, theyworkforyou.com displays that Pincher has generally voted “against more EU integration” with 67 votes against, 31 for and 7 absences.
This clearly covers a large swathe of possible policy but the general picture that his voting record paints, is one of a loyal Brexiteer that makes occasional concessions on issues like Irish immigration and police cooperation. Overall, however, the new housing and planning minister has upheld every significant government position on withdrawal from the EU. From abandoning the “charter of fundamental rights” to fully separating from the single market and customs union. This isn’t much of a surprise, as there are not many Brexit rebels left standing in the upper tiers of government today.
HS2
Possibly Pincher’s most inconsistent voting issue is the new highspeed rail link, HS2. The line that would more rapidly connect London, Birmingham and Manchester has been one of the most controversial schemes of the last 11 years. Began under Labour and accelerated by the Conservatives, HS2 has torn the House of Commons asunder a number of times.
Christopher Pincher is no different, having not voted in favour of any measure regarding HS2 until 2018. Twice in 2013 Pincher notably rejected plans to bring the high-speed rail to the West-Midlands, the area that Pincher’s constituency, Tamworth, is based within. By 2018 however, Pincher seems to have had a change of heart, voting in favour of further HS2 developments between the West-midlands and Crewe.
With 2 votes for and 3 against, it’s hardly conclusive evidence as to how he feels regarding HS2. What we can glean, however, is that in recent years, the proposal has either become more palatable or more politically inconvenient to oppose. HS2’s development shows no signs of slowing down so perhaps Pincher has merely decided to get out of its way. Definitely one to watch going forward.
Conclusion
Over his decade long career, Pincher has proven to be a loyal and philosophically conservative politician, not wavering on issues that remain close to the core on Conservative policy, namely lowering the corporate tax level and reducing benefits. He is not a conservative monolith however, finding issues within Brexit policy and core infrastructure policies like HS2 that he can take exception with. What this shows us is that Pincher will be broadly more of the same but that we shouldn’t rule out surprises on issues that he cares about.