Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation / LKP is deeply saddened that one of its three MP patrons, LibDem Ed Davey, lost his Kingston and Surbiton seat at Thursday’s general election.
With England voting for financial rectitude, and in alarm at the rising power of the SNP, only the Conservative party benefitted from the achievements of the Coalition.
The result was a massacre of the LibDems, and Ed was one of several leading figures to lose.
Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation / LKP thanks Ed for all his support in our efforts to make leasehold fairer.
It was thanks to him that Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation staged a meeting at the Commons in the autumn of 2009.
He also raised the issue of the Peverel / Cirrus price-fixing with the authorities before Peverel admitted the practices to the Office of Fair Trading.
Ed was indignant that Peverel qualified for leniency in the OFT’s tardy and feeble investigation.
With Sir Peter Bottomley, he grilled the OFT director demanding an explanation.
It was thanks to this that the Competition and Markets Authority held its inquiry into leasehold management, which has had the benefit of confirming that abuses do take place and that changes are required.
As Ed was the Energy Secretary and in the Cabinet, he had little time to give to leasehold issues, but when his weight was requested he did not hesitate to assist us in our work.
There was little upside in doing so.
Most MPs are happy enough to write – usually misconceived – letters about leasehold, and leave it at that.
On the other hand, Ed understood the considerable commercial interests in play and how they set about monetising the sector.
He was generous with the limited time at his disposal in assisting us.
We believe that Ed has left an achievement of outstanding public service. It is our hope that this is not the end of his political career.
Related posts:
Second LKP patron knighted: Arise Sir Ed Davey!
LKP patron Sir Ed Davey returns to Parliament
The Oldie reports Peverel / Cirrus price-fixing scandal
Davey and Bottomley quiz OFT over its leniency deal with Peverel over the Cirrus price-fixing scam
Mail on Sunday today: Leasehold is becoming an election issue
Freehold sale withdrawn at Discovery Docklands East – once the residents were all set to buy
So sorry to hear of Ed Davey’s election defeat, he deserves much better.
Thanks Ed for the help you have given us on the subject of Leasehold, and for the hard work you have put in as a Cabinet Minister.
If many more MP’s had copied his attitude I’m sure by now we would be much further on with reforming this industry.
Thank you very much Mr Edward Davey for the concern that you have shown in the area of Leasehold Reform.
The Conservatives benefited from the 5 years in Coalition thanks to MPs like you.
If in the future you require assistants in what ever you decide to undertake in research matters then Sebastian has my email address.
Whilst only once voting for the Liberal Democrats in the past, with MPs as your self, it should not be long before you recover the standings that you deserve..
Greatest respect:- Charles Willis – Ashbrook Court.
Thank you Ed, for putting the issue on the agenda. This is by no means the end – the lib dems will return.
Since ARMA are looking for a new CEO, that would have the respect of oppressed leaseholders, perhaps they should consider Ed Davey? Such an appointment would earn my respect.