Bob Neill, our MP, is a decent man and so I am sure he regrets a speech he gave at a fire safety conference back in 2011, when he was Under-Secretary of State at the Dept of Communities and Local Government with responsibility for Local Government and Planning and the fire services. 

He was bound to reflect the policy of the government, which followed the Thatcherite neo-liberal dogma of deregulation. 

He said: “Of course, good regulation serves to protect us all …It helps build a fair society and can even save lives…but over the years, regulations and the inspections and bureaucracy that go with them have piled up and up…imposing real burdens and doing real damage to our economy.” 

“Reducing the number of rules and regulations is therefore absolutely central to the government’s vision for Britain …” 

“I am aware that some of you here today have supported calls for more regulation for fire safety in the home and in non-domestic buildings, particularly in relation to smoke alarms and sprinklers … 

As I have explained, we have absolutely no plans to add to the burden of regulation for businesses and others, especially where non-regulatory routes can offer the same ── or better ─ outcomes.” 

Deregulation continues 

That was Bob Neill six years ago. It’s easy for us all to be wise after the event. After Grenfell Tower, no politician of any stripe would say such things. But it is legitimate to point out that deregulation in most respects remains the doctrine of the Tory government. It is also fair to point out that lack of 

adequate regulation and inspection, as well as the continuing penny-pinching of austerity undoubtedly contributed to the Grenfell calamity and leaves us vulnerable to more such tragedies.