This paper will examine the different responses from left-of-centre politicians, policymakers and engaged academics to the different manifestations of the housing crisis in the period since 2008. This includes both the 2008 recession and the new policies introduced by the 2010 Coalition government but also relates to more structural dysfunctions within the UK housing market and deficiencies of both policy and implementation under a series of national governments.

The paper will focus on the contest between those arguing for relatively minor adjustments to the policy which is market dependent and those arguing for more fundamental reform based on public sector intervention, funding, and control and ownership of land and development. It will consider the work of the Labour Party’s review of housing policy, led by Sir Michael Lyons, and will examine the proposals put forward by this group, the Labour Party leadership’s response to it, and consider the extent to which the Lyons report fails to recognise the fundamental deficiencies of a policy which is market dependent and proposes adjustments to policy and implementation which are inadequate to deal with the crisis. The paper will draw on the work of progressive research groups and lobby groups as well as the work of the research and policy network convened by the author, which since 2008 has sought to influence the thinking of the Labour Party and other organisations. The paper concludes with a reflection on the role of academics in policy development.