<b></b><p></p><p>Just after the 1997 election the deputy prime minister John Prescott read of the housebuilding industry's concerns over Gordon Brown's decision to give interest rate control to the Bank of England. His reaction, according to an insider, was a snort of derision at an industry that was unaware of the changing political landscape. Prescott saw no reason to do business with housebuilders.</p><p>Four years on and the relationship between the industry and government has changed dramatically for the better. Last month planning minister Lord Falconer and HBF president Geoff Ball shared a platform to provide mutual support for new design initiatives. In an interview in this magazine, the minister emphasises that he wants to work with the industry.</p><p>So what has changed? Without doubt housebuilders have taken on board Nick Raynsford's mantra that if the housebuilding industry wants to move forward, it will have to do so by embracing the government's agenda for urban regeneration and customer satisfaction. But also the government has recognised the importance of housing to the development of the economy. This two way co-operation is the industry's best chance of influencing decisions so that they can operate in a climate conducive to providing the housing the nation needs.</p><p><b>Ben …