There is a bit of a difference between removing statutory protection and removing allotments. With the property slump, any council will prefer the income from tenants to trying to sell the land for development. the present setup explains the abundance of empty allotments and the council not feeling able to do anything other than let them go wild.

I used to do some voluntary work for a mental health charity and we persuaded the local council to give us a couple of allotments for a horticultural project, occupational therapy style. We were pleasantly surprised to be offered a huge choice. Why? protected and (in this particular town) empty.

Now in other towns there is a waiting list. Whilst I am dubious about council plans at the best of times and Pickles is a disgrace for other reasons that affect the work I do, I still find myself agreeing with those who think the story is taking a reduction in red tape out of context and making out the potential pitfalls of doing so more than potential.

Of course, if you must cast a vote in an election and then call the outcome government "bastards" don't be too upset if I don't take you seriously. If you want to improve a system, you have to accept there is a system in the first place.