It seems we are sleepwalking into a housing crisis.

The onward march of house prices is having disastrous consequences, not only pricing low-paid workers out of the housing market and preventing first-time buyers from even getting a foot on the housing ladder but also leading to a rash of evictions by those seeking to make their fortune by selling out to those seeking to buy a second home.

Areas of Brighton that traditionally consisted of low-cost housing, such as Hanover, are being demographically transformed.

Housing, like the NHS, is a basic social need. Every person is entitled to a secure roof over his or her head.

Housing is the last place market forces and the pursuit of private profit should be allowed to roam unhindered.

More than 80 years ago, David Lloyd George introduced rent controls in the private housing market.

Margaret Thatcher's abolition of rent controls and security of tenure for private tenants was one of the most socially divisive acts she undertook and has resulted in misery for the many and large, unearned profit for the few.

Yet New Labour seems transfixed by its addiction to the free market.

Instead of Brighton and Hove City Council wasting yet more money on the Capital of Culture bid, we need a massive programme of new council house building coupled with the reintroduction of rent controls and security of tenure.

Otherwise, we face the prospect of an increase in homelessness coupled with the re-emergence of negative equity and repossessions.

Would it be too much for our local MPs to break their silence and actively campaign on an issue of real interest to their constituents?

-Tony Greenstein, Secretary, Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers Centre