NO, is not an answer!

It doesn’t look like the housing benefits saga is going to go away in a hurry! Especially now, as the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has joined in and is using similar language to John Cruddas and Chris Bryant!!

Mayor Johnson’s concern like the others is understandable, more so in his case as he has an election around the corner.

Liberals and lefties opposing the cuts, any cuts is expected.

But what I find surprising is how none of those who opposed the proposed Housing Benefits cap has offered any practical alternatives – such as introducing a London Weighting levy – or negotiating with land lords for reasonable annual increases – or discussing new ways to attract landlords.

Shouting NO – and coming up with big and intimidating sound bites is easy and it works short term, but offering a lasting and workable alternative it the only way to genuinely win hearts and minds.