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Open Letter-2 (28/5/25) to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

I didn’t expect to be writing to you again so soon after my last letter—but your tweet today about home ownership and cutting red tape for builders got me thinking. Like many, I welcome the ambition. But to make this vision real for working people, we must start with an honest conversation about what “affordable” actually means. So, while I support your plans to boost housebuilding, we need to do it right. Redefining affordability has to be the starting point—because speed and volume alone won’t fix a housing system where people still can’t buy what’s being built. I recently carried out a small survey of my own asking what people felt was “genuinely affordable” when it comes to housing. Of the 25 people who took part (an average household, a majority based in London): 12 people said 60% of market value 8 said 50% Only 5 said 70% So over 70% of respondents rejected the current standard of “affordable” housing priced at 80% of market value. They’re right to. Charities like Shelter and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have long argued that affordability must be based on income, not market prices. As Shelter puts it, a home is only affordable if people can pay for it and still afford life’s essentials. Many respondents also raised concerns that echoed national patterns: second homes and holiday-lets pushing up local prices; farmland being handed to developers; new builds that are rushed and low quality; and expensive homes sitting empty. One person told me that in Staffordshire, even the “affordable” housing is “ridiculously expensive.” But this isn’t a zero-sum game. We can build homes that are affordable and financially viable if we: Reward developers who meet genuine affordability targets with faster approvals Introduce land value capture to fund infrastructure and reduce end prices Back modular and off-site construction to lower costs without cutting quality Support community-led and not-for-profit building rooted in local need We need more homes, yes—but we also need homes people can actually live in. Let’s build the future on fairness, not just floor space. Yours sincerely, Kamal Preet Kaur

Open Letter-1 (25/5/25) to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Today’s announcement (May 21st, 2025) that your government will review the Winter Fuel Payment to ensure more pensioners become eligible is welcome news. I want to begin by thanking you — not just for the decision itself, but for demonstrating a willingness to listen. As councillors, we hear every day from residents who are worried about making ends meet. When those voices find their way into government policy, it reminds people that politics can still work for them. That kind of responsiveness takes strength, not weakness. I’m proud to serve as a Labour councillor and prouder still to have helped return our party to government. In just a few months, the political tone has shifted: calmer, more serious, more focused on delivery. Behind that shift, I know there’s been a huge amount of work — rebuilding international relationships, repairing our NHS, restoring trust. These wins may not always make headlines, but they’re deeply felt in our communities. At the same time, we know how steep the climb still is. That’s why I’m writing — out of both respect and a shared responsibility to keep our party grounded in the values that brought us here. Language matters The recent white paper contains thoughtful elements, and I welcome efforts to bring order and clarity to the system. But the words we use matter. When we speak of becoming an “island of strangers,” it hits hard — particularly for those who have spent decades contributing to this country and still feel they have to prove they belong. We need a public conversation that’s honest and respectful, grounded in facts, not fear. Yes, immigration brings challenges — but it also brings renewal. Right now, that balance feels off. It’s on us, as Labour, to reset the tone and lead with maturity. On Foreign Policy Your leadership on Ukraine has been principled and consistent, and it matters. But I have to be honest: the anguish so many of us feel about Gaza is deepening. Yes, Hamas must release all hostages — that is non-negotiable. But the scale of Israel’s military response — the loss of thousands of civilian lives, the destruction of entire neighbourhoods — has crossed into catastrophe. This can no longer be framed solely as a matter of security. It is now a humanitarian crisis, unfolding before our eyes. Britain has a long tradition of moral leadership. Recognising the state of Palestine would not solve the conflict — but it would send a powerful signal that we are prepared to stand up for justice, peace, and dignity for all. In Conclusion I don’t envy your job, Prime Minister. You’re leading the country at a time when trust is low, expectations are high, and the media scrutiny is relentless. Sometimes it must feel like you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. But I know you didn’t come into politics to play it safe. Neither did I. You came in to make a difference — and so did many of us in local government, working every day to bring Labour values to life in our communities. So I ask you to keep listening. Keep adapting. But also — be bold. This country is ready for something better. Labour has a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver it. And we, your colleagues across the country, will support you — and, where needed, challenge you — not out of disloyalty, but out of a deep belief that our politics must remain connected to real lives. That, in my view, is what true solidarity looks like. With gratitude, honesty and hope, Kamal Preet Kaur

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