The 'Bedroom Tax' - a predictable flesh wound, when all is said and done

There is a certain relief in reports that the Liberal Democrat leadership have finally seen reason with the 'bedroom tax' - 'sinners repenteth' and so forth. After all, the concept that a policy might be implemented, tested in the field and, if found wanting, changed or scrapped, is a good one.

The problem is, and always was, that they were warned at the very beginning by those with experience of local government - predominantly in the Lords - that you couldn't introduce such a penalty unless there was sufficient social housing availability to allow tenants to downsize easily and provision made for the disabled, neither of which applied. The rebellion in the Lords, which included a number of Liberal Democrat Peers not amongst 'the usual suspects', didn't get much attention, but then there is an impression given that the leadership don't give much credence to many people beyond their immediate circle.

As I've noted previously, the concept of providing incentives to encourage those in social housing to downsize if possible is a sound one - we need to use our limited stock of social housing as efficiently as possible, even if we build more. The way that this was done, however, smacked of punitive action against those less able to protect themselves.

Has it been as vicious as has been suggested by some? Probably not, although it has been mean-spirited. Have Labour authorities applied it in such a way as to create anger against the Coalition? Possibly, there are some deeply unpleasant, highly cynical people out there, but not many, I suggest. But, regardless of any such considerations, the current policy is pretty idiotic and does not reflect well on the competence and compassion of those involved in its introduction.

Sadly, the response has been pretty cynical, with suggestions that Labour should use this as a means of causing division amongst the Coalition, and even some Conservative commentators calling for David Cameron to call Nick's bluff. I wouldn't object to discussions between the Labour and Liberal Democrat front benches to agree a line and put it to the Conservatives - it might be a useful trust-building exercise prior to possible Coalition negotiations in the future. And if it were to lead to a better policy, than it could only be good for our democracy, demonstrating that political parties don't have to be confrontational.

So, the challenge to both Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians is this, do you want to win, or do you want to help?...