An Open Letter to Portsmouth City Councillors - HMO Issues
Dear Councillors,
Having collaborated with many of you in various capacities and with different organizations around Portsmouth over the years, I wish to clarify my recent remarks regarding a potential HMO Kristallnacht. I understand that this comparison upset several of you, and I apologize for any offense caused but..
To provide context, Kristallnacht refers to the night in 1938 when the Jewish community in Germany was subjected to widespread violence and persecution, driven by state-sponsored hatred. The term "Kristallnacht" translates to "Night of Broken Glass," referring to the shattered windows of Jewish homes and businesses.
My original comment was intended to highlight a series of events and behaviours that, in my view and the view of many local landlords, could lead to violence against people living in HMOs and those managing them. I used the analogy to stress the potential consequences of unchecked prejudice and misinformation, but I regret that it has had an unintended negative impact.
The Nazi regime was not inherently superior; it was composed of ordinary individuals who were gradually convinced of a distorted reality based on totalitarian ideologies, racism, social Darwinism, and eugenics. This dangerous belief system did not take hold overnight but developed through small misinterpretations and misrepresentations, eventually leading to widespread acceptance and catastrophic consequences.
Similarly, the narrative surrounding HMOs has evolved over time. I recall a conversation with our former LibDem MP for Portsmouth South, where he linked HMOs to anti-social behaviour based on anecdotal evidence rather than concrete data. This initial misrepresentation has since grown into an accepted belief, perpetuated by statements such as those from Cllr. Madgwick, which imply that HMOs increase crime and make streets unsafe despite a lack of supporting evidence.
This acceptance can easily snowball. For example, knocking on doors to oppose an HMO application can amplify fear and concern among residents. Consistent demonization of HMOs by councillors, mirrored by enforcement actions and biased statistics from city officers, further entrenches these beliefs.
At Planning Committee meetings, the hostility towards HMOs is palpable. For instance, an architectural consultant presenting a legitimate planning application was told by Cllr. Swan that she should "hang her head in shame." Such comments extend the stigma to professionals involved with HMOs, suggesting they are complicit in criminal activities.
Social media exacerbates this fear, stifling alternative viewpoints and magnifying negative perceptions. This environment can lead to aggression, as seen at a recent Planning Committee meeting where angry residents threatened a fellow member, causing her to fear for her safety.
Our concern is that this rising anger could escalate into violence unless we all temper our debates. While everyone is entitled to their views, rejecting an HMO application based on an unproven "increased risk of crime" is discriminatory. The contradictory stance in the Local Plan, where co-living rooms not meeting HMO standards are deemed acceptable, adds to this confusion.
I hope this letter clarifies my analogy and underscores the need for responsible communication. It is crucial for those in power to avoid demonizing any section of society, as this can lead to harmful consequences. We should strive to reduce fear and promote understanding, ensuring Portsmouth becomes a better place for everyone.
I invite you to prove my analogy wrong in the coming years by fostering a more balanced and fair discourse. Let's work together to make our city a place where changes are welcomed without fear.
Sincerely,
Martin Silman
PDPLA Chairperson