Conservative HIP replacement, HIP opponent 'U' turn and the Lib Dems - what a week!

A crazy week when we saw the LibDems produce their manifesto with unexpected news of their desire to end the HIP and then soar to second place in the polls. Clearly no connection between the two, though it is a shame they saw fit to jump onto a so called populist policy when it was clear from the performance of their under rated leader, Nick Clegg, that there was no need to resort to such desperate measures.

The fact the LibDems offer something new with some independent thinking, well at least on the surface, is what makes their party an attractive option to the two main forces which are still clearly tainted by expense abuse and accusations of being too much alike. They clearly did not need to throw into a well presented manifesto a pledge that countered all signals previously given, and which was clearly not representative of the views of their membership as a whole.

It was quite ironic in one sense as the news came at the same time as an announcement within an article within the Daily Mail ( 16th April ) that contained two items of reporting that disclosed some hope for the HIP industry.

The first was news that the Conservative Party has apparently appointed property guru Kirstie Allsopp to investigate and report on a possible replacement for the HIP. The other and perhaps more significant development is news that one of the most vocal of opponents to HIPs, estate agents Douglas and Gordon, has come out and said it has changed its view now saying the HIP should remain in place as it is, surprise, surprise, helping to speed up the selling process.