• THE Brexit saga is heaven-sent for lazy politicians of all sides and all parties, big and tiny. The rhetoric is ready-made and trotted out when required.

In the build-up to the referendum I initially campaigned for and voted for us to remain in the EU. But things have moved on. There is not doubt that we will “divorce” from our fellow Europeans to go it alone and all experts agree that it will hurt our pockets.

Therefore we need to get our lazy politicians to prepare. Parliament could declare a limited state of emergency where it is empowered to take temporary decisions.

In effect:

• private rents to be frozen and reduced to those of council housing;

• we should freeze the cost of public utilities and food prices to prevent the speculation that is already affecting us;

• some public spaces must come under provisional government control to produce affordable and seasonal foods;

• we need to reintroduce ward-based Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and boost our police presence on the streets, not have them behind piles of paperwork;

• national and local campaigns must start to promote our community spirit and mutual care between neighbours.

Brexit will happen and it will be poverty and the spectre of homelessness that will endanger our unity, so let us deal with it now. Happy new year.

CONSTANTINE BUHAYER
Gospel Oak