Local Liberal Democrats have expressed shock and regret at the failure of the local Tory administration to support hard-working local families.

Lib Dem Leader Chris White roundly condemned those in the Conservative group who sought to belittle the threat or who urged colleagues to take no action until the Bill had become law.

He said: ‘In the council chamber this week, the Conservative Administration refused to accept the support of all members to try and lessen the impact of the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill.

‘This Bill is a clear attempt by the Government to destroy social housing in our country, and districts like ours may need to sell a huge proportion of our housing stock, with no realistic possibility that these houses will be adequately replaced.

‘People on lower incomes who do crucial jobs in our community will gradually be driven out to Bedfordshire and beyond, forced to commute into work. The effect on the fabric of our society is likely to be devastating.

‘We witnessed a farcical debate with Tory councillors clearly unable to grasp the impact this will have on families across the District.’