I think both observations are bang on.The fact that properties are being marketed with considerable discounts in far flung places and in countries where the legitimacy of the finances of purchasers is more than slightly unsavoury is really criminality and at the very least unethical.The fact that UK and EU nationals are not permitted to purchase via these marketing operations underlines that it is a complete tax fiddle and racket that involves developers, marketing and real estate agents, several of whom are UK based but have 'overseas' branches and associates.It is a scandal that mainly affects London but has spread to other cities and much of the south East of England.From a local perspective, the relationships between local politicians, planners and officials has been way to murky.Probably the most worrying is the willingness of Labour to cohabit with a range of far from ideal developers and housing associations with terrible reputations but all with good and deep political connections. Too deep to be healthy.The Conservatives are not much better, but one would expect that from them. Free market and fast profit being part of the ethos.Local people all over London have been flagging up the disgraceful way in which luxury and completely unaffordable housing has been green lighted and for at least 6 years this has been completely ignored.Now we have a crisis, so bad that our parks, open spaces and sheer way of life are all likely to be depleted and changed do the detriment of quality of life.There would be no housing crisis if the conservatives drew a line where profit becomes greed and excessive.And Labour stopped trying to mimic Tories and put local people and infrastructure first.Only now are politicians starting to wake up and smell the coffee. Clearly their tea has been drugged for the last 10 years.The refusal to address the issue from all quarters makes it all very suspicious.It's been obvious to anyone living in the real world that too much is quite, quite wrong.Buy to let using mortgages to be able to do so needs to be completely banned.Overseas Marketing of all residential needs to be totally banned and all owners and landlords need to be UK nationals and full time residents.Huge taxes and massive council tax charges should apply to empty new builds of habitable quality owned by corporations or non UK based owners.It may be draconian and cost a handful £millions, but this is way too small a country to allow games to be played with our decreasing living and working space.I wonder which politicians will have the gumption to make a stand?It should really be a united one from both main parties as it's both their electorates that are being affected for the benefit of a super rich elite.
Raymond Havelock ● 3929d