The National Housing Federation and its members has managed to persuade 85 candidates who were elected on Thursday to sign up to the Federation's affordable housing pledge.

This means that, while the main party leaders are still locked in negotiations around the composition of the next government, around 16% of MPs already back the delivery of decent homes and communities as a key priority.


Nine per cent of Conservative MPs in the new Parliament signed the pledge, 19% of the Liberal Democrat MPs signed it and 18% of Labour MPs signed up to it. The Green Party's first ever MP Caroline Lucas also signed the pledge.

Nearly 30 MPs entering the House of Commons for the first time signed the pledge. During the campaign, the pledge was signed by a total of 324 prospective parliamentary candidates.

The text of the promise reads: 'I pledge to back the building of more affordable homes and to work towards all constituents having access to decent, affordable housing in safe and sustainable communities'.

(CD/GK)