[switch007]

Which part is wrong?

I was correcting your misinformation on Eddie Dempsey. Are you going to honestly claim you weren't attacking Eddie Dempsey, trying to call him out for living in housing he's legally entitled to?

I never denied there isn't a union leader who makes over 6 figures.

Which union leader makes over 6 figures salary and lives in council housing? Even so, why do you care so much?

[93po]

The aggression in both sides of convo here makes me feel bad to see on HN :(

[switch007]

Sorry. I get a bit passionate defending someone's right to a fair wage and a home.

Not sure if you're British too (OP and I are) but attacking union bosses is a thinly veiled attack on the Labour party, so in a way, it's a comment intended to incite.

[gadders]

It just shows how damaged your world view is that fair criticism of trade union fat cats or even the Labour party is "incitement".

[gadders]

You said it was just one union leader that makes 6 figures. I gave you evidence there are 23.

And call me mad, but someone who owns £100k+ should not be living in council houses intended for people of limited means. It's disgusting and parasitic.

[switch007]

Your original claim: " In the UK leaders of the big unions get six figure salaries, but still live in council (public) housing. KERCHING. "

Again, I ask you to give us the name of a single big union boss who earns £100k+ base salary (you can't pay rent with your employer pension contributions) AND who currently lives in a council property.

I'll even be charitable and accept deputy leaders.

[gadders]

Bob Crow was the canonical example. Obviously he's dead of a heart attack, but he showed now signs of moving out before he died.

We'll see what Eddie does after the next time he votes himself a payrise.

You still seem to think that it's OK for someone on ~£70k per year salary to live in housing intended for the most vulnerable, though, which is a strange for position for someone of the left.

[eesmith]

> to live in housing intended for the most vulnerable

My understanding of the UK system is pretty limited, but I don't think it works that way.

That is, I thought the UK prioritizes housing assignment for the most vulnerable, but once you are in you are a secure tenant and - baring breaking your tenancy agreement - can stay there for the rest of your life, and even pass that tenancy on to a family member.

There is nothing in the law that say you must leave if you make too much, and I thought Thatcher pushed the idea that council housing should be transferred to the residents, as a way to promote home ownership. Isn't that why the UK has the Right to Buy for council housing?

If council housing were indeed only for the most vulnerable, why promote the idea that if you make enough money you can remove housing stock and force the council to build new housing?

Would you feel better if Dempsey buys out his council housing?

> which is a strange for position for someone of the left.

Why is that strange? I am on the left. Everyone should have access to basic housing as a secure tenant, no matter how much they make, just like everyone should have access to a government funded public library, health care, and education.

£70k/year salary does not sound like all that much to uproot, especially if you are friends with your neighbors, your kids love the local school, your parents live nearby, etc. Social ties are one reason you should not get kicked out of your housing simply because you exceed a certain income threshold.

[gadders]

Council housing rent in the UK is much less that market rents. I agree that it would suit the well paid tenant not to move, and there doesn't seem to be a legal way of making them move out.

However, my point is not that it's illegal, just that it's unethical.

[eesmith]

Why is it unethical?

Why do you want a legal way to move them out, even if that breaks their social support network?

Because I don't understand why you think there is any issue with him staying.

If there isn't enough council housing, raise taxes and buy/build more housing. Someone making 70K/year should be in a higher tax bracket so it's not like he's not contributing more to society.

Would you really say it is unethical for a rich man to check out a book from the public library, because he can afford to buy his own books?

[switch007]

So you're angry about a dead man. Got it.

It's been eminently entertaining reading your responses lol. I used to live in the south and met many Tories who think and foam at the mouth just like you. Man, do not miss it at all.