Those Whom Parliament May Not Bind

For some strange and mysterious reason, doubtless entirely unconnected with the Government's well-documented preference for homelessness over social security, a number of landlords are refusing to rent properties to those whom the Conservative Party and its chums in the media have loudly and repeatedly denounced as scroungers, shirkers and frauds. Apparently there is some sort of stereotype in force about the fiscal reliability of people, often female or disabled, whose income may at any time be arbitrarily cut off at the whim of a race-baiting thug. What can the problem be? A few intrepid MPs on the Commons work and pensions select committee are doing their best to fathom the conundrum, and a month or so ago the minister for landlords and evictions made some pious noises; but prompt and effective action has somehow proved elusive, which is all the more remarkable when one considers how many stalwarts in the House of Expenses Claimants just happen to be landlords themselves.