ZACK POLANSKI slammed Labour for failing to provide adequate affordable housing as he launched the Green Party’s campaign for the upcoming local elections today.

The leader of the Greens attacked the ruling party’s record on social housing ahead of voting in May during a visit to a housing estate in Lewisham, south London.

He accused PM Sir Keir Starmer’s party of failing to build enough social and affordable homes, and said local leaders have not met expectations for council home repairs.

Mr Polanski blamed Labour’s negligent approach to rising costs for renters, which he said was due to the party’s cosy relationship with industry lobbyists.

He added that many prominent MPs in Sir Keir’s party are themselves landlords, highlighting their interest in keeping rents high.

Before the event, Mr Polanski said: “People across the country are sick of being taken for granted by the Labour Party.

“It’s the same story in local councils as it is nationally: Labour assumes that voters have nowhere else to go, so it doesn’t think it has to do anything to try and win them.

“Labour is failing and is not on track to deliver the social and affordable housing it pledged.”

The Greens have promised to introduce rent controls nationally if elected to government and to abolish leasehold properties, branding them a “feudal” arrangement.

Mr Polanski added that Labour “has U-turned on its promise to scrap the ‘feudal’ leasehold system because it’s more interested in pleasing property developers than freeing five million people from the financial burden of service charges.”

The London Renters Union agreed, claiming the Labour Party could choose to implement policies to end the housing crisis.

Its spokesperson Jae Vail told the Morning Star: “The Labour government is failing renters.

“They face yearly extortionate rent hikes while millions wait for social housing, countless trapped in unsafe temporary accommodation. Another housing system is possible.

“The government could end the housing crisis by introducing rent controls and investing in council housing but instead ministers would rather cozy up to the property industry.

“We’re sick of seeing corporate giants take over our communities while ordinary people are pushed out.”

The LRU urged tenants to join their National Housing Demonstration on April 18 at 1pm in Soho Square Gardens. Protesters will demand the immediate implementation of rent controls and an increase in council housing stock.