Ex-rough sleeper tears apart Suella Braverman's "lifestyle choice" attack | Pubcast #28 clip

[@minui8758]

It’s infuriating, it’s heartbreaking, it’s an unspeakably inhuman and evil policy

[@larrygerry985]

Why don't you let homeless people stay in your home then? Of course you won't because it is easier to blame a governmental structure

[@minui8758]

@@larrygerry985 I lived in a Catholic hostel based on the principle of sharing community with the homeless and a group of refugees after uni before teaching (not discriminating on faith - just a praying community supporting a group of guests of all faiths and none). I have for a few months at a time on occasions with mates. Also had a few blokes and ladies off the high street regularly back to mine for a meal and a sense of human community when I was a bit younger and a better more zealous and idealistic Catholic. One of those cases began to be a bit problematic - turning up drunk and I got in trouble with neighbours which bit and made me shy I’m ashamed to say. To speak of what you give financially is shameful so I’ll avoid that but I promise you many of us do want to help to the degree where it costs us something

[@larrygerry985]

​@minui8758 so basically you have a non governmental solution. So the solution is there. It has little to do with government policy

[@minui8758]

@@larrygerry985 can’t you see that taking a tent off a desperate man is filthy, dirty, and evil? It’s self evidently abominable

[@larrygerry985]

​​​@@minui8758you can have a 1 million tents but it does not solve the root cause. To get a rough sleeper off the streets, the person needs to accept they have an issue (drugs, family breakdown, mental illness etc). The first step is from that person. If your argument is how you can transition them back into society, I agree more needs to be done. But people are not victims, they are just in difficult circumstances

[@marknicholson2281]

Councils are giving tents to people because they are unable to house them. So the Tories are going to make that illegal? It’s disgusting and just goes to show how little they care about people.

[@alexanderromanov737]

They are not people or citizens, they are SUBJECTS of the crown or livestock. Didn't you know that yet? It tells you in the front page of your new blue lower value passport.

[@dianeglanville]

tories are disgusting they don't care is all about getting power

[@Lucky-wt6fg]

They don’t care….it’s not in their job description….

[@MusMasi]

Don't have enough resources in your own country to house people, and they want to even take tents away from the homeless, and at the same time the government is giving support to another regime that seems hell bent on making over a million people homeless in only a month or so. They really seem to like the business of rendering people homeless and vulnerable.

[@MusMasi]

@@Lucky-wt6fg being the government and looking after the rights and needs of the citizens is not in the job description?

[@SuzanneO707]

All credit to this young man, I have to say , he didn't "tear" into Suella. He didnt lower himself, or give her the oxygen. Very impressive, considering his authentic experience. He took the higher ground and dismantled the policies and attitude of Tory rule with humanity and dignity. 👍Cheers from Manchester.

[@duckarm6969]

"Homelessness isn't a lifestyle choice, its a political choice from an inept government" perfectly summed up.

[@janetmalcolm6191]

All bad policies that surround homelessness and benefits are a Governmental choice. The UN envoy has said that over recent years and that things could be resolved asap but Govt are just not doing so. The Govt just refute his findings of course and therefore nothing is done and so the problems continue.

[@gerrylast]

True? Labour never sorted the issue so what is the issue?

[@rskb1957]

In 4 years volunteering at St Martin's in London in the mid 1990s, I heard this account so many times; family breakdowns, mental health issues, isolation, lack of hostel accommodation. What is the common factor between the mid 1990s and now? The Tories in power.

[@larrygerry985]

So there was no homeless issue when Labour was in power from 1997 to 2010? Stop making it political and accept the root causes. If you don't, you are also playing a political game

[@janetmalcolm6191]

There were these problems in the 60's. Had this long to find a solution but no Govt will there to do so.

[@larrygerry985]

​​@@janetmalcolm6191that isnt the biggest problem. Left wing activists want to make it a political issue rather than to find difficult solutions. The uncomfortable truth is that it is not necessary about housing, it is multi layered.

[@janetmalcolm6191]

@@larrygerry985 True but it is left wingers shouting because right wingers ignore this issue! It is a headache they just want to disappear. Like the people they push off the streets because out of sight out of mind. In my city they put down small pebbles on areas you could just possibly sleep on. Just so you don't go there. Even putting pod type accommodation somewhere would help. Anything warmer than outside where some end up dying. Dying on the street makes us 3rd world. Can't have that can we? Just move it on and pretend it is not happening.

[@The_Crimson_Witch]

​@@larrygerry985You're committing an either or fallacy. "Oh, so you want homeless people to be able to have tents? Why don't you want to fix the underlying issues that create homelessness?" ... Because I want to do both? What the fuck are the homeless supposed to do in the time it takes us to create these structures to help them get back on their feet?

[@LysanderLH]

I think you have missed Braverman’s intentions. She is creating as many divisions as she can and her moron hoardes can be easily summoned with just a whistle. On this occasion, with all the usual bravery of being well out of range, she is directing their attention towards homeless people. Don’t get bogged down in the details because her fascist dogs certainly aren’t going to suddenly see through Braverman and change their ways. They are violent hooligans who are being given permisssion and support by government! That’s it.

[@larrygerry985]

Your point is correct. It is called politics. However, your emotional statement proves why she does it, with moralising and rhetoric. You are also part of the problem. You don't want solutions, just political statements

[@LunaRose1312]

​@@larrygerry985the second part of your comment is nonsensical, nothing the OP said was wrong you're just finding something to pick at because you didn't make the points yourself

[@hypatia4754]

​@@larrygerry985why don't you give us solutions as to how to stop violent hooligans appearing when the Home Secretary whistles? I'll wait.

[@larrygerry985]

​@hypatia4754 solutions? You need to have more drugs rehab centres, mental illness need to be taken more seriously, and as a society we need to focus on building social structures again (such as family units, connections with friends etc).

[@larrygerry985]

​@@LunaRose1312my point is stop making the issue about politics. It is not about saying "blue" are evil and that "red" are morally superior. We need solutions to the actual issues. So arguing about tents does not solve the issue, it distracts.

[@davidberrell4725]

Matthew Torbitt speaks so clearly and calmly about the reality of being homeless. Bravo 👏

[@SBSlade]

I've been homeless. This guy explained it so well. So much respect for anyone that has been there and pulled themselves out of that situation.. it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. It still traumatizes me remembering that part of my life. To target rather than help people going through the worst situation possible is nothing short of evil.

[@littlestone1541]

Same here bro. Struggled on the streets myself. Somehow managed to pull enough money together doing odd jobs while living in tents and squatting to buy a caravan, then a car. Lived like that for years after that, being moved on from one place to another nearly every day... Suela and this government and the political/economic system that keeps these kinds of people in power are all just rotten to the core, evil. I don't use the word lightly. Glad you managed to get off the streets comrade.

[@grtcara8386]

Why didn’t you just get a free council house

[@littlestone1541]

@@grtcara8386 well for me, it was because I actually was on the waiting list for council housing for almost five years... As a single young bloke there were just other people who had priority over me for housing. Which is fair enough tbh. I wouldn't have felt too comfortable taking a housing spot away from a single mum with kids or something. I can't speak for OP but if I had to bet I'd assume it's something similar. There just isn't enough council housing to go around, and the political will to build more isn't there.

[@larrygerry985]

You survived though. Plus, you got out regardless of the gov in power. So it must mean individualistic fortitude

[@boogiewookie77]

​@@larrygerry985Are you seriously trolling this sensitive issue? You seem to be replying to a lot of comments deliberately trying to be antagonistic. Whether you're trolling or being serious, I pity the sad little man syndrome on display.

[@grumpy-dad3701]

I don't see many tents in Nottingham city centre. I do see folks just sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. It is sickening watching councils building thousands of housing for well off people and nothing is done to help or offer help. I always give my change to the homeless, never the charity

[@mcfcguvnors]

Migrants get 100 k a day in just eat vouchers cos all hotels dont have the facilites to deal with a full hotel - theyve never been full EVER ! business is booming for hotels & sunak wants that money for HIS rental properties

[@brittrubin9461]

I live in Nottingham also ..I have noticed over the last 6 months that rough sleeping in the City is growing by the day..I don’t give them money I buy them food ..mostly they ask for McDonalds Breakfast may god bless them 🙏🏻

[@grumpy-dad3701]

@@brittrubin9461 the council is in the verge of bankruptcy. They've sold off and are not funding social care like everywhere. And yet we have student buildings popping up everywhere.

[@grtcara8386]

Councils shouldnt be building free houses for anybody full stop

[@sumisu_senpai_6280]

@@brittrubin9461 Out of all fast food tbf McDonalds has the best calorie to pound ratio. Whether it's proper nutrition is another thing entirely, but I imagine it's better than starving.

[@LunaRose1312]

I was homeless from age 16-19 issues with family, fell into a bad crowd ended up in prison luckily some of my family saw that i needed help and assisted me to get my own place which ive had now since i was 19, suella is pure evil, i was lucky to make it out, so many dont get that opportunity

[@therealrobertbirchall]

Having been homeless when i was young and relatively fit, apart from a plaster cast on my leg, I can testify to the fact that homelessness causes a lifelong mental health issue. I'm 65 now and still worry about keeping a roof over our heads, I'm terrified of unpaid bills casing us to lose our home. Eventually, my homeless issue was solved by squatting. Once I had an address, I could get work, etc. Squatting is no longer an option thanks to Camoron and Osborne' war on the poor.

[@janetmalcolm6191]

Well nothing has altered there then. Those two had the worst policies I've ever heard but they are still carrying on with that today...why the heck don't they want to change things?

[@therealrobertbirchall]

@@janetmalcolm6191 because their donors and the gutter press barons like it like this.

[@eliastalks7411]

Homelessness is a form of psychological trauma.

[@kellz5135]

I was caught in the private rent system with 3 kids as a single working parent for 15 yrs (in Oxford where the rent is the same as your average salary). I've stayed in a hotel for 6 months and it is awful. I would go into it but don't have the mental capacity to sit and type and process it now, so I won't. But it is traumatising and I still feel the guilt even as my children have recently grown and moved out. I don't think I'll ever get over the over compensating and I work myself to burn out all of the time as I am petrified of not being able to pay my rent.

[@weediestbroom]

What a great guest too, very articulate and knowledgeable. An excellent representative

[@joemann2178]

Suella Braverman's fascism is a life style choice, just like Himmler made that choice too.

[@larrygerry985]

At what point is it personal choices then? Or do you assume that everyone is an innocent victim of governmental brutality?

[@davidsmith5523]

​@larrygerry985 I note that you are ignoring the social contract and the FACT that many homeless people are ex armed forces. Do you believe our government has no responsibility to them?

[@larrygerry985]

​@@davidsmith5523what do you want me to say? Military forces are expendable and they are spat out after they leave. It is why I don't encourage people to join them.

[@davidsmith5523]

@larrygerry985 I don't want you to say anyyhing you don't mean. Are you saying that they are collateral damage now. In aid of achieving what?

[@joemann2178]

@@larrygerry985 at the point when you don't have family, friends or money to give yourself shelter and deal with whatever problem you may have, like addiction or mental health or both. Our government doesn't care obviously, just like the US government doesn't care. There is no profit in these people, so no point giving taxpayers money to help their lives, when they can give it to their friends in the military industry to make weapons to fight bogus wars like Ukraine, and make huge profits and kickbacks to the government. You didn't know that this is how we are continually at war with people they tell us are our enemies?

[@iskrajackal9049]

Well said, Matthew - you described the whole thing with immense clarity and outlined the cruelty, hypocrisy and lunacy of the whole situation 👏

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

What an incredible performance by Matthew Torbitt. So articulate and displaying exemplary compassion.

[@thomsonjoe20]

Incredibly sobering... It's catastrophically heartbreaking to think that the less fortunate of our nation, are essentially being hung out to dry by what the Home Secretary is proposing. I personally know of no-one that supports what she is flaunting here. Matthew touched on a lot of home truths about how I myself feel when we meet homelessness... A sense of helplessness, and wishing to be able to do more to give people that have fallen on hard times access to agency. I think her words will actually activate the contrary to her wishes. I'm very glad to see that Matthew is advising a party that will immediately bring a reversal to this mad law that our hateful Home Secretary is promoting. Starmer is a bit of a flower, but at least he knows the law. Top work PoliticsJoe... Please keep informing us! X

[@maggiepie8810]

If you've slept in a tent at a music festival when it's close to zero and it's been raining the entire day, you can't imagine that someone would rather do that permanently than have a home. Suella is like the evil witch in the Wizard of Oz.

[@thirstaefortae5057]

The thing is allowing tents is the bare minimum act of kindness especially during the coldest time of year and she can’t even allow that? Idk where she lives but people should pitch up tents in protest outside her house. The amount given to Israel for arms every year - I can’t find an exact figure but the UK has one contract amounting to 800M - is more than enough to help them either with housing, work placement, mental healthcare etc.

[@maggiepie8810]

@@thirstaefortae5057 800m is still not that much just compared to all of the corrupt and utterly useless pandemic programmes the Tories managed to burn tax money on.

[@peterdollins3610]

There are 800,000 empties in the UK including massive blocks that could be adapted into flats. A weekly doubling tax going from £1 to £2 to £4 to £8 on up would make people rent or sell bringing these back into use and creating new housing. Same for building companies who hold land without building on it as it an investment & for profit.. So a weekly doubling tax on such land to force people to build or sell would change this. Shelter have been in denial and weak on this. When I worked for a homeless charity we were always arguing with Shelter on this. English people had the right to occupy vacant property for 960 years before May under Cameron took away that right. You have to be careful in occupying to find reasonably OK people to live with Then occupation of buildings stops or slows their decay.

[@eliastalks7411]

Yes there should be a vacancy tax, and there should be a grant if you create or maintain genuinely affordable housing. Say you get £1000 if you make your empty block into homeless accommodation. You could even have it where an agreement is made with a charity to take on the maintenance.

[@beautybuzzz3718]

How can the government not be able to house these when so many politicians own second houses and the rich have empty houses sitting around? There's a lot of housing available and even new houses can be built with the money they're spending on wars but the government and society isn't looking to address this cruelty sadly

[@rosalindchurcher8028]

It's a non theory......the only reason Suella Braverman doesn't want tents is because the problem will be more obvious to the general public that homelessness is a shame on government.

[@Bosschino-oi8nz]

KHYLLL BRAVERMAN

[@bigdaz7272]

Every Penny of my Taxes that get spent on anything to do with War i instead want it spending on the NHS and the monstrous Housing problems this country has.

[@michaelstanley3961]

It would be an eye opener to see for herself for Suella Braverman to experience being homeless and spend a few nights on the street. I’m appalled at what she has said when she has no idea of peoples situation to put them there in the first place. Mathew should be in politics as he has the experience and insight of people’s struggles. Some one who has been there and managed to get out of the rut he was once in , the conservatives need a wake up call and do some thing across the board to help there people ,in this day and age living in the uk is going down hill fast.

[@davidsmith5523]

If she promises to ensure that the trains will run on time. We can we sure of whose playbook she is using.

[@hilaryporter7841]

Gosh, the ex rough sleeper was more serious about the problems which need solving than the giggling hosts, however well meaning. It felt out of kilter.There's setting the tone and setting the tone.

[@catherinelee-s5y]

This is a brilliant interview thank you so much!!!

[@davephillips9360]

I did five years on the rough. The only real help I got was from people who care. I’m out now and safe thankfully but I realise cruella could never be capable of being one of those people.

[@jankoszuta9835]

A great discussion, well done

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@lynnhickinbotham3784]

These people need help , it’s so heartbreaking . Thank you to this young man for explaining it so well and politics joe .

[@mollycuddle9990]

Thank you for every word from this awesome, precious gentleman spoke. I wish we had folks as empathetic, articulate and gentle in government. Thank you for this interview, more needed please. 💜🪶

[@donburke17]

Well done Mr Torbitt. How he can remain calm and measured with his experience is to be complimented. Kudos to you

[@shoneyman]

Sitting watching this whilst eating a warm meal, with the heating on, and a roof over my head, possibly one of the most eye-opening and affecting 30 minutes of my life. I thought I had empathy for the homeless, but hearing the absolute horrendoussnes of the situation being spoken about in such an eloquent and thought-provoking way, really hit hard. To think that the worst part of your day is the moment you wake, that moment when you remember you're alive, is truly heart-breaking. So glad this gentleman has a position in the corridors of power, and really hope that others get to hear his story. Thanks again Politics Joe for you excellent journalism, and keep up the good work.

[@rosalindchurcher8028]

Matthew Torbitt you are an impressive young man.

[@TheLambchop29]

Where’s Bridget Jones when we need her? If you remember in Bridget Jones diary, a character who she met at a party with darcy said the same thing and Bridget put her straight and made a comment basically about conservative snobs only to realise she’s surrounded by them. My point being is I believe there’s a script and she’s following it.

[@SomedaySomeway7000]

Fantastic interview, Matthew Torbitt explained the issues around homelessness brilliantly and who else could tell us how it is other than someone who has experienced it, best interview i've seen in a very long time, the man is in the right job.

[@carrias1]

It’s the nasty party, they’re not interested in solving problems

[@pierceknoblanche5305]

Well said Matthew. Sharply dressed I must say!

[@knightyknight5399]

I live in London l was in Liverpool street yesterday. So many unused empty offices buildings .. such a waste.

[@larrygerry985]

The issue is not about housing. The issue is that homeless people have underlying issues. For a normal person to become homeless it is extremely difficult. A definition of normal, being a person with strong social networks, employment, stable relationship etc.

[@bluesunquake]

​@@larrygerry985It's terrifyingly easy to end up homeless.

[@clivesmith9377]

cruella is the worse of the worse. A psychosociopath.

[@anthonyhill6943]

Excellent video exposing the inadequacies of recent governments. Short term thinking leading to cruel ‘solutions’. The current government has been the most uncaring government for decades.

[@garrieleepeck8753]

They also want to get rid of the human rights law bill in England, so they don't have to support anyone or give any more help .they have been determined to do this since becoming in power

[@sallyann4660]

So very sad

[@bigdaz7272]

After having a discussion with a colleague of mine who has worked with the Homeless for many years said in a Borough where she used to work the local authority stopped the Hostels, Shelters and Charities giving out Tents and Sleeping Bags ect to encourage the Homeless to engage with the Hostels, Shelters and other Council services to become part of the process which would eventually find them Homes, the thinking being always handing out Tents and Sleeping Bags discourages the Homeless getting the help that would eventually find them Homes. Cruel to be kind logic maybe, i don't know but on the face of it legislating to prevent the giving of Tents and Sleeping Bags to me just feels like the wrong thing to do? I can tell you one thing for certain there are simply not enough places in the Hostels and Shelters for all the Homeless if they all decided they wanted to make use of them and they are also not the place you want to be if you are trying to remain sober or abstain from using Drugs in any way whatsoever.

[@johnchristmas7522]

Thats easy to say, sitting on your arse in a warm office, with a job for life.

[@bigdaz7272]

Did you actually read and understand what I wrote? I don't understand your comment. Did you mean its easy for the local authority sitting in there nice warm offices making these decisions? I personally don't agree with legislating to NOT hand out tents.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Well said Matthew

[@MartinEvans]

The only thing they should be criminalising is homelessness itself, it should be the government in court for failing to provide EVERYONE with at least the minimum of a roof over their head and the ability to stay warm. Fifth richest country in the world only because we (as in society) ignore problems and allow the richest in society to offshore their money and avoid our totally bollocks tax systems. Noone should ever be homeless in a civilised society and we should never have failed to have the infrastructure to provide those who need it the help they need.

[@littlestone1541]

Squatting is the closest thing people on the streets have to being politically organised. Take the tents away, you'll get more squatting. Whittle people's options down when they already haven't got much in the way of options, and they'll organise in whatever way they can, and it's going to be "more radical" options they go for, because you've taken away they other options.

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Normal Tory life - child at your food bank asking for more. A Britain Dickens - in 2023...

[@maggieedwards3951]

This is the home secretary will pick on people that are vulnerable in society , one of my duties as x security was to remove rough sleepers and i categorically refused to do this task , this is the home secretary that will incite a crowd to cause violence on armistice day , I have been homeless as a 15 year old runaway for good reason , what she Suella has instructed to do is beyound wicked and heartless , she has no idea of real life none, and those whose tents you destroy where will you house them? Or is it about making london aesthetically pleasing to you?

[@kellz5135]

This video is so well done. Thank you.

[@weediestbroom]

8:40 and that is the crux of the matter... Greed

[@anthonyheeney668]

Articulate take on being homeless. Well done

[@iman-alibeg3849]

Listening to the young man saying he was once homeless really ripped at my heart I used to work in a homeless charity, and it was one of the toughest jobs that I have ever done! I can remember when I first started there, I was about 6mths pregnant. I'm a Muslim and I had to do things which were against my religion like handling alcohol to all of those who were addicts! (measured alcohol) it was so hard to see these people so addictive to alcohol, and drugs, these were real men who came from broken relationships and had no idea of how to handle their grief! One person who I can never ever forget was this young lad who had come in. He was just pure innocence when you saw him at first sight, such a gorgeous young boy about 18yrs old. He was sleeping under the bridge and the police had picked him up one rainy night, and he came in drenched, I checked him out to his room, the canteen was closed, and I gave him food and hot drink for the night. He was kicked out of his home by his stepdad and step mum. What had happened was that his real mum died, and he was living in the house, then the stepdad brought in his step mum, the step mum didn't like him there so told him that he is not allowed to live in the house, when he argued back, she told him that his stepdad was not his real dad. All this time his real mum never told him that his stepdad wasn't his real dad, so with this he left. When he came to the hostel, all the older women were around him like flies to honey. The guys wanted what he had and it was his laptop with memories of his mum. One day this guy from the hostel wanted him to meet him at his flat which was not in the hostel. the young lad went but took his laptop with him, because he didn't want it stolen, it was the only thing he had with his mother's memories on. When the young lad went to the flat that he was invited to, he was tied up and tortured, raped and then killed by 3 men and a woman! and this his half alive body was set alight on one of the Aldi dump bins, that's where the police found him. so when this guy talks about humiliation, this is real, there are not normal people living in these hostels, they are serial offenders, to people who are addicted to class A drugs, and alcohol, down on MAPPA and it is a very unsafe place to have young people living there. Living on the streets and forced to live in a homeless hostel was definitely a choice this young lad had. He had to move.

[@davephillips9360]

Well placed and thoughtful views from Matthew. Thank you

[@MinotaurSauce]

For those watching who haven't heard yet, Braverman has just been given the boot! 🥳

[@ciananmacreamoinn9253]

What a man, willing him on to his best as a politician

[@alwhyte6533]

When you asked the question "are there actually people who will spplaud this policy?", I instantly thought "yes, there are". It's sad, but it's true.

[@karenlp5867]

I know there are some homeless people who say they do live that way as a lifestyle choice, but I think they probably have some kind of mental health issues that cause them to feel that way. They just can’t cope with the things that would be required of them to be able to have a home; things like dealing with the benefits system and trying to find a job. I’m sure they are genuinely not able to handle these things and they’re not just lazy. I can’t believe anyone could be so lazy that they would choose homelessness if they had a viable alternative.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Weird that if it was a lifestyle choice no millionaire is choosing to leave in a tent

[@pedrothewise2584]

its no life, for bravermann to condemn these unfortunate souls to me is as bad as a person can get.shes the mp for the stereotypical tory town fareham, a place where neighbours rarely know eachother, and everybody is out for themselves, the poor are hidden away , i know i left the place at 18.

[@rohankurian5641]

Thank you 🗽❤🗽 By the ways, Never forgive, This criminal drug dealer FordNation corrupted a whole population in #Ontario and blinded them to his billionS of dollars of #LOOT ...11 Reasons, Why he deserves #JAIL 1. Gave his own mpps a 16% salary increase on a 160000$ base & fu*ked over everyone else with a 3% increase. 2. Tried killing whistleblowers & witnesses & personally orchestrated the #gangstalking 3. Snow-mobiled when terrorists of #Canada were attacking our Capital. 4. Stole land worth billions 5. Screwed over our public hospitals 6. Screwed over our public transport 7. Screwed over law & order with his Malafide Lies. 8. Old folks died under Ford 9. His own mpps took tax-payer salary for their massages 10. 18 MZO'S to billionaires at his own daughters wedding. 11. Swallowing a BEE and while he was choking still remembered t say "REAL ESTATE" what a #RAAC 🤬

[@nicentoasty]

Lots of time in a local library, I read 'Down and out.in Paris and London ' whist being homeless, the irony was not lost on me. Great book

[@callibea]

This one of the calmest compelling arguments to end homelessness.

[@Ian-mj4pt]

And there is people who claim she says only what most of us are thinking .

[@ifunanya24]

She does! She wasn’t saying it was ALL homeless people. And she was correct about the biased actions of police. You may not even see what she’s talking about because every single institution including mainstream news media are all leftist lockstep. They do not cover the threats and hate that some on the pro Palestinian side have done and only cover what is done by Jewish people carrying their flag or right wingers who have had enough of the hypocrisy. A right wing protest would be banned immediately. But pro Palestinian protest can go ahead despite the defacing of war memorials in Rochdale and the cenotaph in London two weeks ago. The bias is clear. Unless you live in a bubble.

Matthew Torbitt uses reason and I would vote for him any day.

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

I roughed slept in a church yard in Torquay once. Not going through that again. It was minus 1!!!!

[@malfy8369]

Well after seeing the language used on the WhatsApp messages in the covid inquiry, it would not surprise me if it was a way of getting rid of a few homeless people by natural causes. What has happened we used to value peoples life's in the UK. I want political correctness back this is just unhinged hatred.

[@zabellesax]

Fantastic account, I give to the local winter night shelter. If I see a homeless person, I ask if they want me to get them food or drink. It's sad not to be able to help everyone.

[@pnutz_2]

looking forward to this being updated in a few hours

[@Demun1649]

Thatcher caused the current homelessness. She sold of council housing, that took pressure to build away from the purely commercial interests, the home builders don't have the same captive market, and can't make the same profit margins from building social housing. And the current government has a real down on social housing building. Why? Because their mates, the donors who own the building companies, or are private landlords, or own third-rate hotels that can be used to house emergency families, or asylum seekers.

[@9595luke]

The government are out of touch something needs to change

[@yusaki8064]

I’m helping out at a local homelessness charity in a few months. And one of the people at the charity mentioned that one of the people they met there was a former hedge fund manager. Homelessness can happen to anyone, even rich Tories when life fucks you over. Suella Braverman seems to enjoy hurting those who are in pain. Pretty much all of her policies are designed to hurt people in some way. Most she tries to explain away as a necessary evil. This cannot be explained away as such. There is no feasible justification for pouring acid on wounds. Suella is someone I firmly believe would enjoy a job as head torturer at Guantanamo Bay. For she seems to relish the pain of others. No person like that should have any power over anyone else.

[@LAD907]

Never forget the hundreds of thousands who were killed Via poverty enforced Austerity

[@charlyhammond5280]

I’ve seen videos over weekend in Camden police taking peoples tents away and the rubbish trucks throwing them

[@dazaessox]

can this government get any more disgusting..............they prove me wrong each week

[@rayg4360]

I was homeless in my teens. I lived in a garage,until I was discovered

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

The UK has the sixth largest economy, one of the most dynamic financial centres based in London, at least six world-class universities which includes the best-rated Oxford, and then you cannot provide shelter to the homeless? That is not a choice, but, a national dilemma. The choice is personal, but, the national dilemma is policy failure!

[@peterscott6818]

Thanks Politics Joe for giving this articulate and intelligent man a platform so we can hear the sense he speaks. We need the political system to listen to people like this more than privileged and entitled Eton graduates. Maybe we might find some solutions that way.

[@ACarbonBasedLifeForm]

I think Braverman (and the like) would be happy to re-instate the victorian-style workhouse.

[@Lemonie76]

They’ll be bringing back the work house next!

[@arandorapress7561]

Many of the problems described also apply to the housed. Yes, it’s far far worse being homeless and having those same problems. Squatting provided homes until it was criminalised for domestic properties. The elephant in the room is that all these problems are caused by an economic system that wrecks lives. A long term strategy is needed but an immediate solution is also needed. If that isn’t going to happen then long term means a lot of people will die or have their lives totally destroyed. I wonder just how many people would be in such an awful situation if we had a right to suitable housing, a basic income, and taxed the super rich to pay for what the rest of us need. By suitable housing I mean housing that is for people to have privacy, security, and dignity. That will never be provided by private sector landlords. Or a system that values cash above human life.

[@weediestbroom]

If they gave assistance to every broken soul that returned from war, theyd have to stop having wars because that would be too expensive to maintain

[@SBSlade]

It's a cull

[@jamesthomas7928]

Have you seen what is happening in cities in America? Some cities are being ruined by tent dwellers and I personally think Braverman is ahead of the game to stop it happening here. BUT and it's a big but, we are not providing the necessary shelter for the homeless but we provide 4 Star hotels for illegal immigrants. We have to insist that our government does far far better on this score.

[@oliverleonard7730]

Glad she has finally been sacked.

[@arandorapress7561]

I’d like to hear more from Matthew Torbitt on his ideas of how to get out of this mess and how he escaped homelessness. He’s a wise commentator.

[@jaydenmasters2888]

If you want to solve homelessness and unemployment get them building houses! Obviously. We've got all these people without work and nowhere to live, we need a proper management structure to train, feed, house, clothe and oversee building quality standards and health and safety. The health department, department for work and pensions, local counsels, social services, housing associations, police forces, prison service, armed forces veterans services and the main groundworks, construction, demolition contractors and landowners and farmers associations all need to be contacted and brought into a conference where we can sort out where were going to build the houses, where were going to put the homeless people, how we can construct temporary shelter, who is going to supply food, who is going to train them and how, who is supplying the building materials and equipment, work out what kind of houses were going to build. Its pretty straightforward, we can sort this out pretty quick if we get our sit together. 3000 years ago egyptians built pyramids, and we can't even build enough houses for everyone, lets sort this out!

[@ciananmacreamoinn9253]

Cadbury's are a perfect example of what he is speaking about. Built the beautiful town of Bourneville in Birmingham for their workers. Amazing houses, amenities, the family were Quakers so whilst great business people, part of their life's work was to give back to their fellow humans. It is still a beautiful part of Birmingham and a credit to the founding family

[@Cephlin]

I’m not Christian, but it’s times like these when some Christian morals wouldn’t go amiss

[@spillarge]

I agree with the Government. UK Citizens don't want street dwellers living in tents all over the place, many of these street dwellers have drink and drug issues which simply attracts more and more depravity. Just take a look at Seatle in the USA and that's what happens when authorities turn a blind eye and allow street tent neighbourhoods to develop. However, our Government does need to offer an alternative. I suggest they need to house these people in secure accommodation away from the city and they must be offered rehab with free drugs and alternatives to help them to get back into mainstream society with an apprenticeships program. If they reject this help and resist the rehab then they stay there and must not be allowed to abuse the system and come and go freely until they are clean, have an apprenticeship or job offer and accommodation and can stand on their own two feet because many will choose to be back on drugs and drink on our streets rather than take the help offered. Its got to be a two way deal with no alternative of living rough on drink and drugs.

[@matthewparker2810]

Very small point, don't know whether it has been said. Headley Court moved up country to a site at Stamford Hall. Don't know if the scope changed but it still provides the same function.

[@M_Bamboozled]

See BBC news today. They started already. University College London Hospital complained about some tents. The Met carried out a dispersal but at the same time had these homeless guy's tents and all their belongings crushed in a bin lorry. One guy was arrested for not moving on. I guess he tried to stand up for himself. Disgusting.

[@alfredthegreat9543]

As a conservative I am appalled at her statements and what the Conservative Party has become. She is a disgusting human being with no understanding of the plight of real people at all.

[@charlescutts8102]

It's a DISGRACE . SO ASHAMED.

[@jo044o]

There's a side industry of companies claiming to be social enterprises that provide emergency shelter for vulnerable people , that make a fortune charging exorbitant rents for very small , often not very nice spaces .

[@maxine2798]

All the social housing sold off so the few people councils can house are in private accommodation. This is expensive. Places I know this is causing councils to go bankrupt. And the homeless are still homeless

[@vivwindsor4055]

So many people with good jobs now live in fairly insecure rented accomodation, so if they suddenly lose their job for whatever reason, their landlord probally doesn't want tenants claiming housing benefit. So in a matter of weeks you can lose your job and your home. So many people look at the homeless and think it will never happen to them until it does

[@kevingrant7098]

lots of right-wing Tory voters love all this hatred

[@weediestbroom]

15:52 not amazing. It was ever thus.

[@yamadakenji4143]

It seems the current home secretary wants to normalise publicly admitting to one's sociopathic tendencies

[@Fashionmadebyhand]

According to the HS charities should abandoned the most vulnerable and basically start helping the richest, just the way all government policies are in favour of the rich, so charities are the only organisations that aren’t supporting the privileges!

[@TheSheriffess]

Is it possible to deport Cruewella to Rwanda?