THE portfolio holder for Housing, cllr Lynn Worrall has stressed again that she has no regrets over buying her house under the controversial "Right to Buy" scheme.
Cllr Worrall came under attack on Wednesday night after UKIP revealed that a search of the Land Registry file showed the Tilbury councillor had purchased her home.
Cllr Worrall made a robust defence then and speaking to YT on Thursday afternoon remains defiant.
Cllr Worrall said: "There are several things to note here – not least that I have never made a secret of the fact I bought my council home and I have never actively campaigned against the right to buy.
"I have resisted the temptation to buy my home for decades, but due to a change in my personal life I decided that it was the right thing to do.
"I have not changed my mind that taking homes out of the public realm for providing social housing is not a good thing to do, but equally I have to look to my family.
"Young people across our country are struggling to get on the housing ladder – be it rented, mortgaged or something in between. My children are no different.
"By owning my home I can now assure my children that there will always be a place for them, a safe haven, and that, when I am gone, at least they will have capital to share.
"The so-called right to buy is now so firmly entrenched in British culture that I cannot see it being repealed – the current government is even looking at extending it.
"So, instead of being hypocritical, I am actually being realistic. I envy those who remain in their council-owned homes.
"I would prefer that forcing councils to sell their homes was not possible, but it is.
