Tory Brandon Lewis dismissed his own supporters’ calls for rent controls yesterday, despite evidence that the majority back state action to stop landlords’ profiteering.

The blinkered Housing Minister said placing limits on prices was “the last thing” his government wanted to do because it would reduce “choice” for tenants.

But the Conservative’s claims flew in the face of new evidence that the majority of homeowners support controls — including over half of the party’s own voters.