It really isn't that simple. Of course, the various construction companies which make large donations to the major parties would have you think it was. In actu

It really isn't that simple. Of course, the various construction companies which make large donations to the major parties would have you think it was. In actual fact, a number of studies have shown that the primary factor is cheap credit and foreign money. If we built more houses they'd instantly be bought as an investment. This is the way things are working at the moment. Friends of mine in the property sector describe how Chinese or Russian investors will turn up and buy entire developments before private buyers have a chance. Meanwhile, private buy-to-let landlords are beating regular buyers out by making cash purchases which are more attractive to sellers. Either that or they can afford to offer more for the same properties. And people are getting sick of the constant house-building. The recent shock Conservative defeat in the Chesham and Amersham by-election was not just down to the HS2 train line being built through the countryside, but by the huge amount of destabilising housing development which is taking place in the area and changing its character.