Mask-off outbursts by Maga insiders and most strikingly, the destruction and reconstruction of the presidential seat, with a huge new $300m ballroom, means Trump isn’t planning to leave the White House when his term ends, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
 
			THE first weeks of 2018 have brought some significant victories for housing campaigners. Concerted opposition to estate demolitions, privatisation and profiteering have won important battles, if not the war.
There’s also some hope for improving the situation for super-exploited private renters (in the shape of a parliamentary Bill sponsored by Karen Buck MP).
Meanwhile, the scale and urgency of the housing crisis is shaping the argument on the future of the Labour Party and a possible Labour government.
 
               LOTTE COLLETT welcomes the arrival of a new party for the left, a vehicle for councils to finally fight for progressive policies on housing, green spaces and public facilities, rather than administering cuts and misery from central government
 
               GLYN ROBBINS celebrates how tenant-led campaigning forced the government to drop Pay to Stay, fixed-term tenancies and council home sell-offs under Cameron — but warns that Labour’s faith in private developers will require renewed resistance
 
               
 
					 
               

