The Workers’ Party notes with disappointment that Sinn Féin and the DUP have voted down a motion at Belfast City Council opposing any attempt at privatisation of the Housing Executive this evening. Speaking on the subject Workers’ Party representative Chris Bailie:Workers Party,Oldpark DEA said ‘the housing situation across Belfast is already dire with many families living in temporary accommodation and others living in sub-standard, over-priced rental accommodation. He continued ‘Any attempt to privatise public housing will only increase the housing problem and lead to a much larger number of tenants left without any protection. In addition to this rent will increase, there will be much less accountability and no guarantee of repairs for tenants.’He concluded ‘what tonight’s vote shows us, is that the DUP and Sinn Féin do not have the interests of the working class at heart. In fact, it has confirmed that the NI Executive and Minster for Communities Carál Ní Chuilín are pushing ahead behind the scenes to transfer the Housing Executive to the private sector. We must ensure that this does not happen, and we must commit ourselves to a fight to protect the housing executive.’