RENTERS have fallen victim to Rishi Sunak’s snap election decision, as the Bill offering them some protection against eviction was dropped by the government.

Tenants’ campaigners slammed the move, having already hit out at Tory dilution of the law, which delayed its implementation until the courts were ready.

Ben Twomey of Generation Rent said that abandoning the Renters (Reform) Bill as parliament dissolves means the government has ”failed in its promise to renters at the last election to deliver a fairer tenancy system.”

“Whoever forms the next government must make rental reform a key part of their agenda,”  he said.

“This means proper protections from evictions when we have done nothing wrong, and limits on unaffordable rent rises so we can’t be turfed on to the streets at a landlords’ whim.”

Legislation to ban no-fault evictions was first promised by Theresa May, and the abandonment comes as the number of such repossessions hits a six-year high, according to official figures.

Labour’s Matthew Pennycook said: “The Tories’ decision to cave in to vested interests leaves in tatters the promises they made to private tenants five years ago.

“If the Tories get back in, renters will remain exposed to spiralling costs, poor housing standards and the risk of homelessness from no-fault evictions.”

Mr Sunak’s Bill to incrementally ban the sale of tobacco products, something he regards as part of his legacy, was another victim of the curtailing of the parliamentary session.

The Prime Minister and Keir Starmer have spent much of the start of the campaign playing one of politicians’ favourite games — debates about debates. 

It seems likely that the party leaders will hold two in the course of the next six weeks, less than the Prime Minister wanted, claiming that Sir Keir was “scared” to debate him.

Whatever their leader’s bravado, Conservative MPs are already voting with their feet with a record number heading for the exits.

Seventy-five have now announced they are not contesting the election, beating a record set in 1997.

Sir Keir today talked up Labour’s plan for a publicly owned green electricity generator.

GB Energy “is going to be a publicly owned energy enterprise owned by the taxpayer making money for the taxpayer,” he said, claiming it would reduce energy bills “for good.”

Sunak for his part paid a visit to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, stoically oblivious to the metaphorical implications for his sinking campaign.