I am in the unenviable position of writing this before the election while knowing that when you read it the votes will all have been counted and the MPs returned. But I think I can confidently say that, whoever won, the outlook for housing supply in this country is not favourable. <p></p><p>Economist John Stewart considers the implications for the industry of five more years of Labour policies, and five years of Tory policies. The former, he says, will cause a housing crisis. The latter will cause a major housing crisis, very quickly. Apparently DETR officials know that recent policies are causing soaring prices and a supply crisis, but the politics of the situation do not allow a change in direction. Click to read article</p><p>But somebody has to tackle this issue and work out how we can provide the homes and infrastructure to match the country's growth without alienating the voters.</p><p> Perhaps the proposed reform of the planning system will help - if it does not, then expect to see more stories about soaring prices and potential market collapses in your post election newspapers - surely not something that any politician would want, whatever their hue. </p><p><b>Ben Roskrow</b> - <i>Editor</i></p><p><br> </p><p></p>