Hurrah. Tories promise to repeal a Labour law

The Tories should be promising to repeal unpopular and expensive Labour laws. And now they've started.

A survey by a firm of estate agents suggests that half of home sales may be going through without a home information pack available and completed. Sellers have been required since April to have a full HIP in place before marketing their home.

Councils aren't enforcing the rule. They think they have higher priorities.

Well done, Grant Shapps, Conservative housing spokesman and my local MP:

It was the height of Labour incompetence and arrogance for the Government to impose even more red tape on the housing market during the middle of a recession.

We should not be surprised that half of all house sales are now disregarding this pointless and expensive red tape. This widespread derision and evasion of the regulations proves how HIPs are deeply flawed.

We don't condone breaking the law. But rather than feebly attempt to enforce this bad law, these regulations should just be scrapped.

Town hall trading standards rightly have more important priorities than persecuting struggling home owners during a recession.

Conservatives will scrap Home Information Packs outright. If ministers really wanted to help homeowners, they would use their emergency powers to suspend HIPs and provide a shot in the arm to the ailing market.

More of this, please.

Rather than worry that HIPs incorporate EU rules, let's take a leaf out of the Italians' book.

Pictured is the minister who introduced HIPs. Step forward, useless Yvette Balls. Yvette Balls introduced HIPs, proclaiming that she would not apologise for 'greenplating'.

Yvette Balls, Yvette Balls
We do not want your silly laws
Greenplate your own life if you must
Do not force these costs on us.