UKREiiF and the path to Reform?
Standing outside UKREiiF (and at MIPIM), there is often a group of protesters. Over the four years the conference has been running in Leeds, the themes of the protests have varied, sometimes it has been about individual landlords (this year) and sometimes wider issues. Most delegates studiously ignore them. But why are they there? And should we pay more attention?
In 2023, the protesters outside UKREiiF were raising their concerns about 15 minute neighbourhoods. This seemed odd as 15 minute neighbourhoods seem to be a relatively logical thing – most community facilities like schools and shops within short walking distance of residents. That should be something that we all want. So, what was the problem?
Having a spare minute, we stopped to find out what the concerns were. And it was illuminating and concerning. The protesters had a myriad of issues and complaints but the central concern was about being left behind and forgotten by the system, and ignored. The men in blue suits (and it was mostly men at the time) living in nice communities would be fine, while those people in less affluent communities would be stuck in their less affluent neighbourhoods with no prospects of getting out or being able to change their lives.
This year, it was noticeable that there were more rough sleepers than ever in Leeds, and they were very noticeable. One man, looking over a company party spilling out onto the street, told me that he was former Army and had nowhere to sleep – and none of the “UKREiiF people” would even look him in the eye or help him.
There are currently 27,000 families on Leeds City Council’s waiting list, with 5,000 in Band A with waits of over two years for a home. The former soldier I spoke to is likely to have to wait a lot longer.
The contrast between haves and have nots could not be starker and we have to recognise that there is a call for change. If we can’t deliver it through the current system is it a surprise people are looking at different political options? There are certainly no easy choices and councils are in deeply unenviable positions with very restricted funding.
Next year Cratus will be at UKREiiF and we will be looking to see how we can put a little bit more back into the city. We hope you will join us.
