DESPITE much clamouring, Tory warnings over the Scottish government’s rent freeze have proven to be a load of hot air.
Minister for tenants’ rights Patrick Harvie told a committee on Tuesday that early data does not show any drop in the number of private rental properties despite the rent freeze.
In fact, he said, early administrative figures showed a small increase in private rented accommodation.
This must have come as quite a surprise to Tory MSP Murdo Fraser. Ahead of the freeze coming in, the Scots Tory was slinging all kinds of insults about.
Raising my concerns @ScotParl today about the proposed rent freeze from the SNP/Green @scotgov, and the unintended consequences pic.twitter.com/omIy5iMtUr
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 7, 2022
READ MORE: Tommy Sheppard and Iona Fyfe sign Scottish republic declaration
"The consequence of this legislation will be to reduce still further the availability of properties in the private rented sector," Fraser said in his Scotsman column.
"It seems simply unbelievable that we have a Scottish Government and a minister so arrogant and stupid that they cannot see what the outcomes of their actions will be. But this is Patrick Harvie, a man frequently blinded by his own virtue signalling that could take anyone’s eye out at any moment."
How arrogant.
But it wasn't only Fraser. His fellow Tory MSP-cum-Twitter troll Stephen Kerr said in October that landlords were "already selling up", blaming the Scottish rent freeze.
In September, he wrote: "Nicola Sturgeon must be aware that if she makes it more difficult to rent out property, the reaction of landlords will be to sell – meaning fewer properties for rent."
Well, it's far from the first time that Fraser and Kerr have been left with egg on their face.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel